The San Francisco 49ers may need serious help at wide receiver heading into the 2025 NFL season. On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if the team might consider adding a high-profile pass catcher to an injury-depleted unit.
"There's possibilities later. None are guaranteed," Shanahan said. "And there's lots of things that are tied to that—who's available, how much they're available for, and the situation our team's in, salary cap-wise and stuff, and what we can do.
"But yeah, we're looking into everything. We'll always try to do the best, but try not to just panic and do something to survive a tough situation at the expense of what would really hurt you later in this year, and definitely next year."
Could Tyreek Hill be an option?
While the Miami Dolphins insist they are not shopping Tyreek Hill, the 30-year-old superstar's future in Miami remains uncertain. According to OverTheCap.com, Hill carries a $27.7 million cap hit in 2025, which skyrockets to $51.9 million in 2026. A trade this year would save Miami nearly $15 million in cap space, and over $39 million in 2026.
Any acquiring team could work to restructure Hill's deal to reduce the long-term cap impact.
"So his status is uncertain, with an oblique injury right now, as for when he gets back in the lineup, is still up in the air," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently said on SportsCenter, per CBS Sports' Cody Nagel. "Right now, I have talked to a few teams that are at least monitoring his future a little bit. Could he be a potential trade target?
"I know the Dolphins earlier this summer were telling teams, 'No, we're not trading Tyreek Hill.' But they just wonder, is he going to be available? It could be wishful thinking. Maybe they want him to be available, but he's a player that when I bring up the teams and say, 'Who's sort of a trade target you're watching?' They bring up Tyreek Hill, so we'll see."
Hill's track record speaks for itself. He has topped 1,100 receiving yards in six of his nine NFL seasons, including a career-best 1,799 yards in 2023. However, his numbers dipped last year to 959 yards and six touchdowns on 81 receptions.
Bleacher Report's 49ers Trade Scenario
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski floated four potential trade packages for Hill—one involving the 49ers. His proposal: San Francisco sends wide receiver Jauan Jennings and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to Miami in exchange for Hill.
Jennings, entering the final year of a two-year deal signed in 2024, is seeking a new contract. He's also dealing with a lingering calf injury, which certainly could complicate the situation. Earlier this offseason, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jennings planned to request a trade if a new agreement isn't reached.
"The San Francisco 49ers have both the financial and roster flexibility to make a deal for Hill happen," Sobleski wrote. "They have also been close to winning a Super Bowl during Kyle Shanahan's tenure."
Sobleski notes that quarterback Brock Purdy's massive new extension remains cap-friendly in its early years. Purdy counts for less than $10 million against the cap in 2025, but that number rises to $24.8 million in 2026, $30.8 million in 2027, and $57.6 million in 2028. Sobleski argues the 49ers could capitalize on that short-term flexibility to make a splash move now if they want to climb back into contention after a 6-11 season.
"With Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from last year's knee injury and Jauan Jennings demanding a new contract, San Francisco can change its wide receiver room in one fell swoop by trading for Hill, who automatically becomes the squad's No. 1 target at the onset of the 2025 season," Sobleski added.
For Miami, the deal would bring in a younger, physical receiver in Jennings—albeit at the cost of losing Hill's explosiveness on the football field.
"The Dolphins have already shown a willingness to make player-for-player swaps, with what essentially turned out to be Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey," Sobleski concluded. "General manager Chris Grier can do so again."