Deadline is coming if the Packers really want to make a big move and acquire elite wide receiver from an NFC rival
Tee Higgins has been extended by the Cincinnati Bengals, DK Metcalf has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the top free agents are gone. At this point of the offseason, it’s truly hard to get a difference-maker at the wide receiver options, let alone a truly elite piece.There is one player who can still be […]
Tee Higgins has been extended by the Cincinnati Bengals, DK Metcalf has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the top free agents are gone. At this point of the offseason, it’s truly hard to get a difference-maker at the wide receiver options, let alone a truly elite piece.
There is one player who can still be an option, but the Green Bay Packers is running out of time to pull the trigger. It’s Brandon Aiyuk, from the San Francisco 49ers.
We already talked about why he’s such a great fit for the Packers here, but there’s not much time to realistically execute a trade with the San Francisco 49ers.
Contract details make it trickier
On April 1, there are multiple triggers on Aiyuk's contract with the 49ers, and it would make no sense for San Francisco to move him at a later date. If the Niners will trade Aiyuk, it's gonna be next week.
Let's go over what happens on this date:
2025 guarantees: When Aiyuk signed his extension last year, $20.875 million of his $24.875 million compensation this year was guaranteed at signing. The remaining $4 million becomes fully guaranteed now. Not that the 49ers would release Aiyuk anyway, but it's always something to consider.
2025 option bonus: Of Aiyuk's 2025 compensation, $22.855 million comes in the form of a roster bonus. More than becoming fully guaranteed, it will also be paid on April 1st. This is the most important part of the thought process here. If the 49ers trade Aiyuk now, this option bonus will be paid by the acquiring team. If the trade happens later, the bonus will have already been paid and the 49ers will keep the cap hit. At that point, it won't make any sense to move him, unless the draft compensation is wild.
2026 base salary + option bonus: Excluding workout and per-game bonuses, Aiyuk's entire 2026 compensation also becomes guaranteed on April 1. That's a $24.935 million option bonus and $1.215 million in base salary, totalling $26.15 million. A release would be completely off the table after that, so a decision has to be made.
The Packers weren't willing to give up a second-round pick and $30 million a year to acquire DK Metcalf. Aiyuk has a different situation, though. Yes, he's coming off an ACL injury, but he's expected to be back by Week 1 and has already a long-term deal in place.
Aiyuk is slated to make $24.875 million in 2025, $27 million in 2026, $28.124 million in 2027, and $30 million in 2028—there are no guarantees beyond 2026.
A common argument against Aiyuk is that he regressed in 2024 even before the injury, which is somewhat true, but he didn't have a training camp because of the contract dispute and what he did would still be on pace to lead the Packers' wide receiver group. In 2020, the Packers loved him in the pre-draft process, so the fit is there.
Maybe the Packers aren't willing to invest too much in the wide receiver position. But Brandon Aiyuk is one of those players where the value is there, even if the price is high.
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