49ers Proposed Blockbuster Trade Secures 3-Time All-Pro Wide Receiver
Amid uncertainty regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the San Francisco 49ers might aim to acquire three-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Like Aiyuk, Jefferson is seeking a bigger contract and did not attend the start of organized team activities. Andrew Hughes from USA Today’s Vikings Wire suggested a hypothetical trade where the 49ers could get Jefferson by only giving up veteran wideout Jauan Jennings.
This trade would allow the 49ers to have an elite trio of Jefferson, Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel at least for the 2024 season. Hughes proposed that the 49ers could trade their 2025 first and second-round draft picks, a 2026 second-round pick, and Jennings to the Vikings for Jefferson.
If the hypothetical trade went through, Justin Jefferson would join a Super Bowl contender at age 24 and work with quarterback Brock Purdy before the 49ers have to commit to a substantial contract for their starting QB. Jefferson would provide Purdy and the 49ers offense with an elite receiving threat for both short yardage and vertical passing plays.
Over four seasons, Jefferson has averaged 15 yards per reception with 392 catches, 5,899 yards, and 30 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022, second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and Pro Bowl honors three times from 2020 to 2022.
Justin Jefferson Would Excellently Replace Any Potential Gap Left by Brandon Aiyuk.
If the 49ers are forced to trade away last season’s top receiver, he would more than adequately fill the void left by Aiyuk. Aiyuk currently has a fifth-year extension valued at $14.12 million, but he could potentially command an annual salary of $26.5 million according to Spotrac.
The 49ers’ situation wasn’t helped when the Miami Dolphins awarded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle a contract extension worth $84.75 million over a year. This placed Waddle among the top five highest-paid receivers, which is the level of compensation Aiyuk is seeking. Aiyuk expressed this desire during a spring appearance on “The Night Cap” podcast with former NFL stars Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe.
“I’m trying to receive the compensation I deserve,” Aiyuk stated to Johnson and Sharpe. “This past season, I’ve truly discovered my identity both as a person and a player — understanding my contributions on the field, in the locker room, and to the organization.”
Justin Jefferson’s New Deal Could Come Soon
The 49ers may have limited time to pursue Jefferson if they decide to do so. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter on June 1 that the Vikings are highly motivated to offer Jefferson a contract that could significantly impact the market, as transcribed by Nolan O’Hara of Sports Illustrated’s Inside the Vikings.
“They want to try to finalize something; they’ve been actively discussing terms with Jefferson and his representatives,” Fowler stated. “This deal could potentially make him not only the highest-paid wide receiver but also the highest-paid non-quarterback.”
“Fowler also noted that Nick Bosa earns $34 million annually,” O’Hara reported. “While it remains to be seen if Jefferson’s deal will reach that level, the Vikings are determined to reach an agreement in the coming weeks and months this summer.”
