Brandon Aiyuk and the Jaguars Have Mutual Interest
It's clear the 49ers want to keep Brandon Aiyuk. It's not clear that he wants to stay.
But Aiyuk apparently has interest in joining the Jaguars and the Jaguars would like to trade for him, according to Jaguars reporter Mia O'Brien, who notes that no move is imminent, presumably because the draft is more than a month away. If the 49ers were to trade Aiyuk to the Jaguars, the deal would need to happen before the draft.
It makes sense why the Jaguars would be attractive to Aiyuk. They have a young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence who can make every throw, including the ones deep down the field where Aiyuk thrives. They don't have a No. 1 wide receiver, so they can give Aiyuk as many targets as he likes.
In addition, the Jaguars play in Florida, which is a tax-free state. So if the 49ers and the Jaguars make Aiyuk the same offer, he would make more profit on the Jaguars.
Aiyuk always has seemed lukewarm about returning to the 49ers. When asked at his locker a couple days after losing the Super Bowl if he would come back, he said he would if it was the right move. Perhaps he thinks Jacksonville is a better move for him. Perhaps he wants to go to a team where he feels appreciated, and doesn't feel like he's fourth in the pecking order.
If the Jaguars are willing to offer Aiyuk more money than the 49ers AND are willing to trade the 49ers a first-round pick, I wouldn't be shocked if Aiyuk ends up in Jacksonville.
