ESPN recently examined the trade landscape (h/t Taylor Wirth of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find), suggesting that the 49ers may be looking to make a move to strengthen their roster for the second half of the season. Injuries have ravaged the team, with Aiyuk becoming the 10th player to land on injured reserve.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan, while addressing the media this week, urged caution. He emphasized that the 49ers explore all options but added, "Those answers aren't always out there. You've got to be ready to get people better in your building and deal with what you've got in your building. And if you ever find something that makes sense, we will never hesitate on it, but it's not always available like you hope it is."
ESPN's Seth Walder suggested that the 49ers be bold and target Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp in a potential trade.
"The plethora of playmakers the 49ers appeared to have in August is suddenly thin," Walder explained. "Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season, McCaffrey is still out and Deebo Samuel Sr. is dealing with a form of pneumonia. Kupp, who is expected to return soon from an ankle injury, has managed 2.0 yards per route run since the start of 2023 and has long had success under coach Sean McVay, so one would think Kyle Shanahan could get the most out of him, too."
But why would the Rams entertain such a trade with a division rival? Walder argues that it could make sense for McVay to force the 49ers to give up valuable draft capital.
"If the Rams are up for dealing Kupp, San Francisco should be the first place they look; it's better to take draft capital from your rival than anyone else," Walder concluded.
Kupp had an outstanding 2021 season, leading the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. However, he hasn't surpassed 812 receiving yards in a season since, and injuries have kept him off the field. He's missed 17 games over the past three seasons, including four this season due to the aforementioned ankle injury.
A recent report indicated that the Rams might be willing to part with Kupp for the right price. However, aiding a division rival seems unlikely.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
2026 mock draft: 49ers target 6-4 receiver with 'massive catch radius'
With speculation growing that the relationship between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may be nearing its end, early 2026 mock drafts are beginning to focus on potential replacements for the former first-round pick. Aiyuk is still recovering from the... -
49ers continue D-line overhaul in ESPN's 2026 NFL mock draft
The San Francisco 49ers invested three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to overhaul their defensive line, and ESPN's Field Yates projects that effort will continue next year. In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, Yates projects head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch... -
Kyle Shanahan recalls 49ers' talks with Philip Rivers—and what it meant for Brock Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers stayed in touch with Philip Rivers throughout the 2022 season—just in case the veteran quarterback was needed. After injuries sidelined Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, the depth chart grew thin, and an inexperienced rookie by the name Brock Purdy... -
49ers' Brock Purdy may have a request for Mac Jones, explains sideline arm brace
Last year, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy surprised his offensive linemen with Toyota vehicles—an extravagant gesture considering he had not yet signed his lucrative contract extension. Of course, Purdy was an endorsement partner for Toyota at the time, meaning...