Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers will be heading into the 2024 season with a boat load of confidence. The final 10 games of the 2023 season saw the Packers go 7-3 and play just as good as anyone else in the league. That stretch was highlighted by a dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
However, adding a stud wide receiver to the Packers’ already young corps could be what takes them from playoff contender to Super Bowl contender.
The Green Bay Packers Pegged To Land Star Wide Receiver From NFC Rival
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is congratulated by wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
In a report by Sayre Bedinger of The Dairy Land Express:
The Green Bay Packers could stick to their process at the wide receiver position and be just fine. They have so much talent at the position with guys like Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and others. There are already a lot of mouths to feed in Green Bay.
But right now, there’s not a go-to threat in the passing game, and that could affect the Packers negatively in the long run.
Trading away someone like Christian Watson, who has failed to differentiate himself consistently over his first two seasons (despite flashes of brilliance) and acquiring a steady playmaker like Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk could take this Green Bay offense to the next level. It could take Jordan Love to the next level. The Packers have 11 picks in this year’s draft and who knows how they are going to fit 11 rookies on the roster?
Trading one of their top three picks in this draft for Higgins or Aiyuk could be a great investment.
Would The San Francisco 49ers Trade Brandon Aiyuk?
Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) fails to catch a pass while being defended by Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Since being drafted in the first round out of Arizona State in 2020, Brandon Aiyuk has spent his entire NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier this year, fellow 49ers playmaker Deebo Samuel expressed his frustration with GM John Lynch’s business practices.
The fact that Aiyuk is playing out his fifth-year option makes you wonder if this is his final season with the reigning NFC champions, or if he already has. Kyle Shanahan had another fourth-quarter meltdown during the 49ers’ latest humiliating Super Bowl loss. For Aiyuk, getting touches in the multifaceted offense has been a challenge.
In 2023, Ayiuk recorded 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns. If he was treated as the WR1 somewhere else on a regular basis, he would go for over 100 receptions easily. While the 49ers are currently saying Ayiuk is not going to be traded, if contract talks fall apart he could be suiting up somewhere else sooner rather than later.
