Ducks Digest

San Francisco's Brandon Aiyuk Trade To L.A. Chargers Or Cleveland Browns? NFL Rumors

NFL rumors are swirling about a potential trade of San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh are still on the hunt for a No. 1 receiver to pair with quarterback Justin Herbert. The Cleveland Browns would also be an intriguing fit.

Bri Amaranthus

Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) is introduced to the crowd before the game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) is introduced to the crowd before the game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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NFL rumors are swirling about a potential trade of San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh are still on the hunt for a No. 1 receiver to pair with former Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, sparking a potential trade idea. The Cleveland Browns would also be an intriguing fit.

Would the Niners really part ways with the 27-year-old star Aiyuk? NFL insider David Lombardi reports that San Francisco is not giving a "firm no" to any teams who inquire. Dianna Russini of The Athletic also reported that NFL teams have been "poking around" for a potential trade.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) signals the referee against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter a
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) signals the referee against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

There are multiple reports that the Browns are pushing to trade for Aiyuk. A trade to the Chargers would also make sense as the Chargers have a whopping $50.7 million in cap space.

Plus, Aiyuk would join a playoff contender. However, the Eugene-native Herbert has yet to win an NFL postseason game. In year two under Harbaugh, Ducks fans hope Herbert gets receiver help to reach his full potential in the pros.

Aiyuk would give the Chargers a new No. 1 wide receiver alongside second-year breakout wideout Ladd McConkey. The rookie McConkey led the Chargers with 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. McConkey did it all for the Chargers in 2024, including totaling nine receptions for 197 yards in the Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, setting a rookie postseason record.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, hugs Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert durin
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, hugs Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert during the Oregon football’s Pro Day Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Herbert and the Chargers are fresh off an 11-7 record in 2024 in which he showed off his dual threat ability. Herbert finished the 2024 season 332 of 504 passing for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions while adding 69 rush attempts for 306 yards and two more touchdowns.

The Chargers need to add another talented pass-catcher for Herbert in order to contend in the tough AFC West that is jam-packed with talent, highlighted by the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Is Aiyuk the answer?

Aiyuk is currently rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL from Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season. Before the season-ending injury, Aiyuk totaled 23 catches for 351 yards in six games. In 2023, Aiyuk led all receivers with 81.3 percent of his 75 receptions resulting in either a first down or touchdown - finishing with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

San Francisco GM John Lynch gave an injury update on Aiyuk at the NFL Combine.

"He's doing well," Lynch said. "I know, coming up here in a couple of weeks ... there's kind of a big marker coming up. But I know that, anecdotally, he's doing really well, and our trainers, who have been with him, say he's doing very well.:

"He's putting in the work. That's what you have to do. And like I've always said, the real top-end athletes tend to heal at a little faster rate, and I think that's going on with Brandon as well," Lynch continued.

Oregon tight end Patrick Herbert, left, and his brother Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and former Oregon quarterback Justin
Oregon tight end Patrick Herbert, left, and his brother Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert during the Oregon football’s Pro Day Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If San Francisco does trade Aiyuk, it could happen quickly, before shelling out $31 million guaranteed on April 1 to the receiver.

Back to Herbert, who traveled to Eugene to cheer on the Ducks, and brother Patrick Herbert, at Oregon Ducks Pro Day. Herbert is Oregon's all-time leader in pass completions (827) and pass attempts (1,293). He also holds the program record for most TD passes (54) and passing yards (5,904) inside Autzen Stadium.

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Bri Amaranthus
BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.

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