Even if it's against Brad Holmes' grain, the Detroit Lions are in position, coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, to make "all-in" moves if they make sense. It would be a rare move that would truly make sense, and it would require giving up high-end draft capital.
The offseason drama between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk took a turn on Tuesday, with MIke Garafolo of NFL Network reporting Aiyuk has officially asked for a trade.
Source: #49ers All-Pro WR Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade after an offseason of unsuccessful attempts to reach an extension.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 16, 2024
Despite a recent meeting, the Niners haven’t been willing to engage in negotiations since May so Aiyuk has respectfully asked out. pic.twitter.com/EWxYMvsHch
Trade rumors about Aiyuk have existed all offseason as contract talks have apparently gone nowhere, and the 49ers haven't done anything. They don't have to trade him now, even with him "respectfully" asking to be traded. After news of Aiyuk's trade request, they offered the expected "we have no intention of trading him" line via ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The idea of the Lions trading for Aiyuk has been out there a bit, but in light of him being lined up for a big contract it's easy to debunk. Add in the notion he wants to make more per year than Amon-Ra St. Brown, and it's really not happening.
With the premise of "internally rooting for", but "accept it will never happen", Ben Solak of The Ringer had the Lions as a trade destination for Aiyuk.
Likely result:
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) July 16, 2024
Steelers
Commanders
Wouldn’t be surprised by:
Jets
Patriots
Broncos
Internally rooting for, though I accept that it will never happen:
Lions https://t.co/Eb7FQIPs8O
Grade the trade idea: Brandon Aiyuk to the Lions
With obvious acknowledgement it won't be cheap, and acknowledgement it's unlikely to happen, Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports came up with the following trade offer the Lions could make for Aiyuk.
Lions get: Brandon Aiyuk
49ers get: 2025 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick
Holmes is not afraid to trade up in the draft to get players he wants. But that's far different than giving up premium draft capital for a veteran player. In this particular situation, the contract Aiyuk wants cannot be ignored.
Payton did entertain the "never say never" aspect of the Lions making a deal for Aiyuk, and that can't be dismissed until he's either traded elsewhere or the 49ers give him a multi-year deal. There has also been some good authority the Lions are not looking to add a wide receiver at all right now.
If it was only a one-year commitment for the $14.1 million Aiyuk is scheduled to make this year on his fifth-year option, it would be different. But it's ultimately hard to imagine the Lions giving up first and second-round picks for him, then paying him more than St. Brown on a multi-year deal.
There can be a big gap between the concept and the execution of an idea. The concept of the Lions trading for Aiyuk is interesting, but it falls apart quickly on the way to even the faint notion it could happen.
Grade: D+