The San Francisco 49ers have been linked to a blockbuster trade move for Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams. However, the possibility of it happening seems unlikely, according to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco.
Maiocco shot down the idea on the October 2 episode of “49ers Now.”
“I don’t see any reason or possibility that the Raiders would consider trading him to the 49ers,” Maiocco said. “Or that the 49ers would be willing to give up what it would take to get Davante Adams. … There’s no way the 49ers are going to pull the plug on Brandon Aiyuk after four games and then it would cost a lot more money on the salary cap for the 49ers to make that trade.”
In an October 2 story, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver had suggested the 49ers send the 26-year-old All-Pro Aiyuk, whom the team signed to four-year, $120 million extension in August, to the Raiders in exchange for Adams, who asked the team to be traded, according to multiple reports.
Adams has been one of the NFL’s top receivers for a decade but will turn 32 later this year. Aiyuk has had a slow start to the 2024 season, but bailing on him after a slow stretch for an aging legend doesn’t add up.
Aiyuk Looking for Spark After Big Contract
The 49ers and Aiyuk’s stalemate over his recent contract extension was one of the NFL’s top stories of the offseason. The former Arizona State star missed the majority of the team’s preseason activities due to the holdout before receiving the $120 million contract.
Aiyuk has not matched his production from last year. Through four games, Aiyuk has 13 catches for 167 yards and zero touchdowns. He also has two drops, matching the total drops he had in all of 2023.
NBC Sports’ Taylor Wirth attributed the lack of production to his sitting out the preseason.
“Many point to Aiyuk’s training camp hold-in and the lack of reps with quarterback Brock Purdy and the first-team offense as the primary reason why,” Wirth wrote on September 26, referencing comments made a day earlier by 49ers legend Steve Young.
“Brandon needs to own it,” Young said on the September 25 episode of KNBR’s “Tolbert & Copes.” “Like, I’ve come back. I’ve missed camp, and now it’s not happening. So I have to take that on myself. There’s no blame other than yourself. Own it. It’s me. I will fix this.”
Aiyuk still clearly has his skills. His 10-yard grab against the New England Patriots in Week 4 was truly exceptional and could signal a return to form.
49ers HC Backs Up Aiyuk
While Aiyuk’s start to the year hasn’t been ideal, 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan is not worried. Coming up to the Week 4 clash against New England, Shanahan backed up his receiver in response to a question about his ability to separate from defenders.
“We played a lot of zone coverage here in the last couple weeks. Usually when it’s zone there’s not many people around the guys, there’s just people underneath. It’s about throwing over people. And he’s done a good job in man-coverage too,” Shanahan said on September 25.
There was also a moment recently where Aiyuk wore the wrong shorts to practice. Reporters filmed Aiyuk being reprimanded by Shanahan and then looking frustrated. However, Shanahan once again stood by his receiver by saying he gets where Aiyuk is coming from.
“That stuff happens,” Shanahan said. “I didn’t see what he threw… I hate some of the clothes I gotta wear out there also — it is what it is.”
