The NFL free agency period is all but over as many teams are content to enter training in a few weeks with the rosters they have. For the San Francisco 49ers, the mission this offseason was more about retaining key pieces than signing external players.
However, with top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk being sidelined for at least the first month of the season, the Niners could be inclined to find a stopgap wideout among the few left in free agency.
CBS Sports notes that Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are clearly the most accomplished and valuable receivers still without a home for 2025. At this late stage of the offseason, they could be signed for cheaper than what they would usually go for.
Writer Cody Benjamin names San Francisco as potential buyers for either player.
"The 49ers used the first waves of free agency to purge rather than collect big names, but neither Allen nor Cooper would likely cost a ton at this point of the offseason," Benjamin wrote. "Yes, San Francisco's wide receiver corps is theoretically set for the long term with both Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall in tow, but the former is still recovering from a serious injury, and Pearsall only has 11 NFL games under his belt."
Insurance? That’s part of the idea.
Either Cooper or Allen could provide valuable leadership traits and experience that the 49ers will be missing with Aiyuk on the sidelines. Pearsall is entering just his second NFL season after a topsy-turvy rookie campaign. Jauan Jennings had a breakout year in 2024, but he's still just now becoming a reliable target.
George Kittle will be one of the most-used receiving tight ends in football this season, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to relieve him of some of that load, given that he is also called to be a blocker.
"After securing Brock Purdy for the long haul, it's not hard to envision Kyle Shanahan wanting to give his young quarterback added insurance out wide, especially in the form of a proven route-running possession target like Allen or Cooper," Benjamin added.
Purdy and his $53 million salary will already be facing a lot of pressure ahead of 2025 following the 49ers' disappointing season a year ago.
An added receiving weapon with veteran experience could remedy any concerns of an ailing pass game.
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