Maybe the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Commanders can solve each others' problems.
The Commanders have a star receiver who wants a new contract and has requested a trade, Terry McLaurin.
The 49ers have a star receiver who is still recovering from injury but isn't clearly a perfect fit for future plans, Brandon Aiyuk.
The Athletic suggests that the teams simply swap them in a trade for one another.
It's a deal that The Athletic's 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows sees a very real case for. Here's what he wrote about the possibility:
"It’s not so far-fetched considering this scenario was discussed a year ago when Aiyuk was the subject of a high-profile hold-in. Aiyuk had the Commanders at the top of possible trade destinations because of his relationship with, and admiration for, Jayden Daniels. The 49ers probably would have acquiesced to his request if McLaurin was part of a trade package, but the Commanders didn’t want to part with the receiver. A year later, would they reconsider? Now it’s McLaurin who’s causing a stir and whose feelings are hurt. While Aiyuk is coming off an Oct. 20 ACL tear and isn’t expected to be ready at the start of the season, he’s also two and a half years younger than McLaurin and has relationships throughout Commanders headquarters. He’s friends with the quarterback, he’s close to Deebo Samuel and he was drafted by GM Adam Peters, who was the 49ers’ top college scout at the time. Lengthy contract battles leave bridges burning. Wouldn’t both players be happier where there’s no smoke?"
MORE: Lamar Jackson wants Ravens to be an unkindness
There are definitely two sides to the Aiyuk to Washington coin here, which Barrows touches on.
The injury complicates things. It's hard for the Commanders to know just exactly what they're getting both in terms of availability and ability given that Aiyuk isn't yet up to full speed in his ACL recovery.
On the flip side, Aiyuk's relationships in their building are strong, and that might actually help them know exactly how he's healing, too.
McLaurin would seem a no-brainer add for the 49ers, even with him being older than Aiyuk. San Francisco just paid Brock Purdy, and yeah, they'd have to shell out a lot of money for McLaurin. But that's the kind of deal a team needs to make to support its franchise quarterback.
MORE: Buccaneers' coach reveals chances of Shilo Sanders making Tampa Bay NFL roster
The Ohio State product McLaurin was a star long before Jayden Daniels showed up, and he finally got the chance to show just how good he could be with a legitimate QB throwing him the ball. He'd immediately be the top receiving weapon in the Bay Area and give the 49ers a chance to get back to the playoffs.
It's a fun prove-it trade, if it were to ever come to fruition.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Jalen Milroe sums up his upside with one Madden rating
- Rashee Rice gives update on his suspension
- Bears might try DJ Moore at a new spot
- Micah Parsons breaks silence on his trade request
- Shedeur Sanders shares harsh reality with his dad, Deion
- Commanders have $3 million way to avoid Terry McLaurin trade