After three straight NFC Championship Game appearances and two Super Bowl appearances in the last five years, few saw the hard fall from grace coming for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
But with injuries to top stars like running backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, offensive tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and safety Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco just couldn’t stay healthy enough to put forth a fight in most games.
But after some retooling, and locking up quarterback Brock Purdy to a monster five-year, $265 million contract extension, many are back on the 49ers bandwagon in believing the team is back to Super Bowl contender status.
Among that group of believers is veteran Bay Area sports reporter Larry Krueger, who believes San Francisco is just three moves away from winning its first Lombardi Trophy since 1994.
In a post on X, Kruger laid out the moves he thinks the 49ers need to execute before the season begins, and his most head-turning suggestion involves jettisoning All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
“Trade Brandon Aiyuk to the Commanders for Terry McLaurin,” Krueger wrote. “Win-win trade. Daniels gets his guy Aiyuk, who’s the younger, and potentially better receiver. SF gets a healthy receiver now.”
After signing his four-year, $120 million extension last season, things couldn’t have gone worse for Aiyuk. He was barely noticeable in the seven games he played before tearing his ACL and missing the rest of the season.
The 27-year-old hasn’t been shy about his desire to play with former Arizona State teammate and current Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, and adding McLaurin would be a big get for the 49ers offense.
Though he’s two years older, McLaurin isn’t coming off a major injury, and he’s put up five straight 1,000-yard seasons and he logged a career-high 13 touchdowns last year. The Ohio State alum could also be a perfect mentor to 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall.
Kruger also makes a case that the 49ers can shore up their secondary by sending a sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for disgruntled Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who Miami is actively trying to trade, though it would likely take more than a sixth-rounder to pique the Dolphins’ interest.
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“The Future HOF(er) can play outside and SF can return Lenoir to his best spot, slot CB and give rookie CB Upton Stout time to adjust to the NFL,” Krueger continued. “Ramsey could also help inside at safety.”
Krueger also boldly urged the 49ers to deal defensive end Robert Beal, a 2025 second-round pick, plus a conditional 2027 fourth-rounder to the Cincinnati Bengals for pass-rusher Shemar Stewart.
The 17th overall pick in April’s draft, Stewart remains unsigned because he and the Bengals are at an impasse with his contract. Adding a young player like Stewart on a rookie contract would give the 49ers two stud first-round pass-rushers to help take some of the attention off Bosa.
“Stewart and Mykel Williams could be SF next dynamic DL duo,” Krueger added. “Bengals are going to get fleeced for Stewart. #49ers might as well do the fleecing. Cincy has until Aug 5th to get him signed or traded. Stay tuned.”
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