Former NFL star sends stern warning to 49ers over WR trade

The San Francisco 49ers have one of the most dynamic wide receiver duos in football in the form of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, but rumor has it that the 49ers may have to break them up.

Aiyuk is preparing to enter the final year of his deal and wants to get paid, but due to financial constraints, San Francisco may not be able to afford him.

The 26-year-old has also made it clear that he will not be offering any kind of discount, further complicating matters for the Niners.

As a result, trade speculation has been swirling around Aiyuk, with many naming the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential landing spot.

But could the 49ers ultimately keep Aiyuk and trade Samuel instead?

That’s the latest buzz, as teams were reportedly calling San Francisco to inquire about Samuel’s availability prior to the NFL Draft.

Samuel is under contract through 2025, and the Niners may be forced to move him if they want to retain Aiyuk for the long haul.

However, former NFL receiver and current Fox Sports analyst T.J. Houshmandzadeh cautions against trading either player at this point, saying that it could ruin the 49ers’ 2024 campaign.

“You can’t get rid of them during training camp because you are a Super Bowl contender,” Houshmandzadeh said during a recent appearance on The Herd. “You can’t get rid of one of your best offensive players. That would really tear the locker room apart. Guys would be pi--ed off if you do that. They’d be angry.”

Houshmandzadeh does think that one of Aiyuk or Samuel will be gone after next season if the two receivers San Francisco drafted—Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing—show they can play.

But he obviously does not think that moving one of the two star pass-catchers now would be the best idea, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment.

It seems probable that the Niners will end up going to the season with both Aiyuk and Samuel on the roster, but what happens next March is anybody’s guess.