The 49ers reportedly checked in on multiple potential replacements for Brandon Aiyuk in the wake of the uncertainty surrounding the wide receiver this offseason.
Before San Francisco ended their contract stalemate with Aiyuk, signing the 26-year-old to a four-year, $120 million extension that includes $76 million guaranteed, the 49ers inquired about both the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and the Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers.
According to ESPN, the 49ers asked about Jefferson’s availability before this year’s NFL draft, but the Vikings “had zero interest in trading the star wide receiver and immediately rebuffed San Francisco.”
The Jets and Colts also had some level of interest in Jefferson, per the report, but Minnesota was only ever interested in re-signing the three-time Pro Bowler.
Jefferson ultimately became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history in June, after signing a record four-year, $140 million deal with the Vikings that includes $110 million guaranteed.
The 49ers were met with the same response from the Raiders, who declined inquiries of a trade for Meyers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Meyers was an intriguing option because he would’ve been a cheaper alternative to Aiyuk, considering the NC State product signed a three-year deal worth $33 million with Las Vegas in March 2023.
There was a moment when it was unclear which team Aiyuk was going to be playing for this season.
Sports Illustrated reported the Steelers nearly acquired Aiyuk, who was coming off a breakout season with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on the way to the 49ers’ Super Bowl appearance.
Aiyuk ultimately stayed put, but the former first-round pick hasn’t had a hot start to the 2024 season.
After dropping two passes, including one potential touchdown, to record just 28 yards on two catches in San Francisco’s season-opening win over the Jets, Aiyuk is now facing pressure to step up amid star running back Christian McCaffrey’s absence.
Jefferson’s Vikings host Aiyuk and the 49ers on Sunday afternoon.
