Who still remembers Brandon Aiyuk’s catch vs the Detroit Lions? The spectacular catch of a Brock Purdy pass from a lunging Aiyuk won the 29th January playoff for the 49ers. But things changed after the 2024 Super Bowl loss against the Chiefs. The 49ers are currently facing a contract situation for their WR. So, what happens to the 49ers if the situation doesn’t resolve? Will Purdy be able to stay the same on-field?

On 19th July’s Get Up ESPN talk show, Ryan Clark predicted the situation of the 49ers and Purdy if they lose Aiyuk on the go. He said “I think San Francisco suffers without Brandon Aiyuk, greatly. I think Brock Purdy takes a step back and there’s some regression in his game without Brandon Aiyuk.” The 49ers QB also has a high priority for his WR, as Brandon is great at receiving his throws often. Furthermore, the QB/WR duo boasts a 71.4% catch rate, justifying their playoff win over the Lions. But how can the WR’s absence be a reason for Purdy’s ‘regression’?

The 49ers QB is known for performing deep throws and Aiyuk for his stretch-the-field plays, making the duo unstoppable. The analyst further said that being an absolute playmaker, the 49ers WR always found ways to escape the opponent’s safety, and that’s what he did in the playoffs too. Moreover, Purdy has expressed his love for throwing to Brandon, while sharing a strong bond with him. In other words, if a new WR replaces Aiyuk, things might become harder for Purdy as he might not resonate then as he did with Aiyuk. Consequently, keeping out the 49ers wideout is expected to be a ‘step back’ for Purdy, too.

The analyst also highlighted the 49ers flanker’s abilities to play both inside and outside of the numbers. Furthermore, he talked of Aiyuk being well-versed in operating with the tight end and other wideout. Thus, hiss loss can harm the team’s chemistry and might increase the chances of unfavoured outcomes for the 49ers. After waiting long for a contract extension, the flanker has decided to part ways with the 49ers.

Seems like the market is also open to accepting the wide receiver. But where can Aiyuk land?

Where can Brandon Aiyuk shine next? Potential skies for the star receiver

Even if Aiyuk fails to secure a spot in the Niners, he still has the Washington Commanders as his first landing spot. Why? It’s because he’ll get a chance to play with his comrade, Jayden Daniels, from Arizona State. Furthermore, having a top 15 WR in the team will be a definite boost to the Commanders’ offense. Thus, on the search for a hike in his contract, Aiyuk may find himself playing by the side of Daniels, which can be an added motivation for the WR. But, even if he fails to join the Commanders, there is another team that is also scouting for a star receiver.

And if you don’t know, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers. After trading Diontae Johnson, the team’s eyes are on a better wideout and Aiyuk can prove to be perfect for the spot. With 75 receptions of 105 targets in the last season, Aiyuk easily beats the former WR of the Steelers. Thus, the team might expect him to enhance their offense and lead them to win the next Super Bowl.

So, even if the Niners fail to keep their wideout, he will still have multiple options to consider. Do you think there are other potential teams where Brandon can find a new home?