Brandon Aiyuk looking on.Brandon Aiyuk (Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
It hasn’t even been 10 months since the San Francisco 49ers handed star wideout Brandon Aiyuk a lucrative four-year extension worth $120 million. Yet, he still popped up aplenty in trade rumors during the offseason.

Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade from the 49ers after the 2023 season before agreeing to a new deal. But San Francisco GM John Lynch decided to cut ties with several pricey veterans this offseason following a disappointing 2024 campaign, bidding farewell to the likes of Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, Aaron Banks, Leonard Floyd, Javon Hargrave, Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga.

During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the 49ers were “open to trading” Aiyuk. It’s hard to think much has changed on that front, considering they just extended tight end George Kittle and must pay quarterback Brock Purdy over $100 million soon.

If Brandon Aiyuk is still available, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys should go “all-in” and try to land the All-Pro receiver. Yes, they just got George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he’s also a pending free agent and has just one 1,000-yard season under his belt.

Imagine if Dak Prescott had a “big three” of Aiyuk, Pickens and superstar CeeDee Lamb? Hate on the Cowboys all you want, but that unstoppable trio would make Dallas Super Bowl contenders.

 

Some might argue that Dallas shouldn’t have that much money devoted to two receivers. But the Cincinnati Bengals just gave Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins nine-figure extensions. The Miami Dolphins (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle) and Philadelphia Eagles (A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith) don’t regret paying their star WRs market value, either.

What Cowboys Should Offer 49ers For Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk in uniform.Brandon Aiyuk (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Cowboys should offer the 49ers their 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Aiyuk and a 2026 fourth-round pick. It’s a lot to give up, yes, but an Aiyuk-Lamb WR tandem would be football’s best and give Dallas a wide-open championship window.

For the 49ers, they clear $120 million and get an extra first-round pick. They can still flourish on offense with Purdy, Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, 2024 breakout star Jauan Jennings second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall.