Carolina Panthers should reach out and pursue a trade for 49ers disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk
The Carolina Panthers entered the 2023 NFL season with optimism before finishing as the worst team in the league. After moving up to select Bryce Young with the first overall pick, his rookie season was bumpy from start to finish. The failed season created a necessary discourse around the talent level on the Panthers' roster […]
The Carolina Panthers entered the 2023 NFL season with optimism before finishing as the worst team in the league. After moving up to select Bryce Young with the first overall pick, his rookie season was bumpy from start to finish. The failed season created a necessary discourse around the talent level on the Panthers' roster and where they could benefit from improving.
Young suffered from poor protection, coaching/play calling, and receiver play. I am 100% certain that Stevie Wonder could see the issues around Young with the 2023 Panthers. The lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver remains a glaring hole and weakness for the Panthers' offense. The question becomes, how can this front office address the elephant-sized problem, in the room?
I say, look no further than San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. He led the 49ers in receiving targets, yards, and touchdowns. Aiyuk is undeniably the best "pure" wide receiver on the 49ers offense. So, why would he be available via a trade?
The phrase is where there's smoke, there is fire. After the disappointing loss in Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs, where Aiyuk finished with three catches for 49 yards receiving despite being open most of the game. As a result, friends and loved ones close to Aiyuk took to social media creating a frenzy insinuating he would not be a 49er next season. Check the 33rd Team's tweet below for reference.
If Aiyuk is disgruntled, Carolina needs to make a move
With the questions regarding Aiyuk's happiness based on the posts from his social circle, the Panthers should test the waters for a potential trade. When asked if the plan is to stay with San Fran, Aiyuk replied, "If that’s the right move… yeah.”
The 49ers picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. Normally, it would take a miracle, prayer, and patience to get a star-caliber wide receiver via a trade. But, we have seen D.J. Moore, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, and Stefon Diggs switch teams during the offseason period. Some of which, were moved by a trade.
The question is, how much would it cost Carolina to pry Aiyuk from the 49ers' hands? The 33rd pick at the top of the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft has to be the starting point. If you can close the deal without adding extra draft picks, it is a huge win for the Panthers. Aiyuk's one of the better route runners in the NFL, as a result, he can win versus multiple coverages. The Panthers would then have to sign him to a multi-year deal for the transaction to balance out, which makes sense for a receiver entering his prime and a team with space like the Panthers.
Young needs this caliber of weapon heading into year two of his career.
Final Thoughts
Multiple factors at play can help facilitate a trade for Aiyuk's services. Brock Purdy's potential contract extension next season, Charvarius Ward's contract expiring, and the aforementioned, unhappiness of Aiyuk himself. Considering he was not the No. 1, or 2 option in the passing game plan during their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, could be a sign of change this offseason.
Regardless, the Carolina Panthers must at least check around the smoke to see if there is a fire to fan and benefit from this offseason for their second-year quarterback. A move like this would be like Dominic Toretto flipping the NOS switch during a race in one of the many movies from The Fast and the Furious series. Come on Carolina, crank it up and be aggressive.
