49ers predicted to trade $120 million superstar to make room for Brock Purdy's new contract

Drew Bishop

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49ers predicted to trade $120 million superstar to make room for Brock Purdy's new contract image

There's only so much money to go around.

That's the dilemma the San Francisco 49ers are facing as they brace to give Brock Purdy a massive payday in the coming months.

General Manager John Lynch has already cut ties with Deebo Samuel and other longtime 49ers like Dre Greenlaw and Chavarius Ward. 

Another massive name could be next.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio appeared on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh to discuss the Steelers next target: Brandon Aiyuk.

With George Pickens gone, Pittsburgh is in need of a wideout to pair with DK Metcalf. 

The hosts of the show mentioned Aiyuk along with Tyreek Hill and DJ Moore, but Florio first addressed Aiyuk because the 49ers are motivated to ship him away.

"The 49ers would love to unload Brandon Aiyuk's contract," Florio said. "He's got two years fully guaranteed and is coming off a torn ACL."

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Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million last year after a lengthy holdout. He tore his ACL in October and was ruled out for the rest of the year. 

When the 49ers signed the wide receiver, he was healthier and Brock Purdy was cheaper. Now, San Francisco needs cap space and Pittsburgh needs a wide receiver.

What would a Brandon Aiyuk trade look like?

Here's a hypothetical trade between the Steelers and 49ers:

49ers receive:

  • 2026 3rd round pick
  • 2026 5th round pick (DAL)

Steelers receive:

  • Brandon Aiyuk

MORE: George Pickens trade has $100 million contract extension question 

It's a great trade for the Steelers, who have three picks in the third round and two in the fifth. The 49ers can offload a player who might be a sunk cost and make room for their quarterback of the future. 

San Francisco has second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall and drafted Jordan Watkins in the fourth round this year. If that's any indication of their future plans, it's to get younger on the offense not older.

With Aiyuk turning 28 and Deebo Samuel already out the door, it could be a new era for the 49ers soon.

Drew Bishop

Drew Bishop is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. After graduating from the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, he worked in local media in Sandusky, Ohio at BCSN and the Sandusky Register, freelancing as a reporter, broadcast director and play-by-play commentator for high school sports. He then moved on to KRIS 6 News where he serves as a producer in the news department.