Denver Broncos should consider move after star WR officially requests trade

Travis Wakeman

Denver Broncos should consider move after star WR officially requests trade image

The Denver Broncos have made several calculated, under-the-radar transactions ahead of the 2024 season, but outside of drafting Bo Nix in the first round, the offseason has been void of a big-splash move. 

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has requested that the San Francisco 49ers trade him and the Broncos should be talking to 49ers general manager John Lynch about a deal. 

The Broncos have their own contractual issue with Courtland Sutton so perhaps a deal could be worked where Sutton is sent to San Francisco as part of a package that sends Aiyuk to Denver. There was also this three-team trade idea proposed by CBS. 

 

Denver Broncos should check in on Brandon Aiyuk

It may seem counter-productive to swap out Sutton for Aiyuk, but a change of scenery could be what they both need. Sutton would fit well in San Francisco's system and Aiyuk could provide the kind of consistent, dynamic option to help get the career of Nix rolling in the right direction. 

Here is a look at Aiyuk's career stats:

YearReceptionsRec. YardsYards per catchTD
20206074812.55
20215682614.85
2022781,01513.08
2023751,34217.97

His 17.9 yards per catch last season was second in the NFL, trailing only George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers (18.1). He has posted these numbers while playing on the same team as Deebo Samuel, which is something to consider. 

In Denver, he would have the chance to become a No. 1 wide receiver, which he has the capability of being. He is only 26 years old and has a lot of great football left in him. 

This is not the kind of move you would expect the Broncos to make as the team has taken a conservative approach following the disaster that was the trade for Russell Wilson, but it's not often a player of Aiyuk's caliber comes available. 

The team should consider taking a shot. 

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.