The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2024 season with high hopes. After going 12-5 in 2023 and winning the NFC West, they made it to the Super Bowl, where they lost 22-25 in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
They began the 2024 offseason by teasing a potential trade of their All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. They ultimately signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million extension. Unfortunately for everyone, Aiyuk tore his ACL in Week 7, ending his season. Now, faced with the realization that they will have to start the season without him, one analyst addresses the extent of the team’s trouble.
Brandon Aiyuk Injury Forces 49ers Into Tough Decisions Ahead of Training Camp
The 49ers are expected to place Aiyuk on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) as they begin training camp on July 22. If that happens, then Aiyuk will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season, as dictated by PUP rules.
On a recent episode of the “Breakfast Ball” show, co-host Craig Carton asked his fellow analysts just how much trouble they think the 49ers are in.
Carton said that in his opinion, they aren’t in trouble at all. He said no one bounces back from an ACL in just nine months, so this is something San Francisco expected and is prepared to plan for.
Former Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard Willie Colon said he disagrees with Carton. He noted that rumors of a potential trade of Aiyuk are swirling in back-to-back offseasons, and mentioned that Aiyuk was greatly displeased. He said they were talking about trading him while he couldn’t even walk yet.
Colon added, “They are in trouble. This team finished last in the division. I understand they had some significant losses on defense. If I’m the Niners right now, you’re going to have to make a trade.”
He noted that they had substantial injuries to their defense, including Jauan Jennings, Dre Greenlaw, and Nick Bosa, among others. Colon said that he realizes that this hindered their ability to win, leading them to finish 6-11, last place in the division.
“They are in trouble. This team finished last in the division… If I’m the Niners right now, you’re gonna have to make a trade.”@willcolon66 says the 49ers need help, especially if Aiyuk is hobbled: pic.twitter.com/SR6FiBZfNX
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) July 11, 2025
The defense will be fixed headed into the 2025 season, but the Aiyuk situation isn’t. That’s why Colon believes they should make a trade with the Washington Commanders for Terry McLaurin.
“If I’m the Niners, I’m gonna go get Terry McLaurin from the Commanders. They need help. Only got Brandon Aiyuk and the kid [Ricky] Pearsall from Florida. You’re asking Christian McCaffery to turn the clock back, George Kittle’s going to be George Kittle overall, but they need more help outside of a guy who’s just coming off an ACL.”
Colon feels the deal also makes sense for Washington, who are embroiled in a contract dispute with McLaurin. The wide receiver did not participate in the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Coming off the best season of his six-year career, McLaurin wants to be paid commensurate with the other top receivers in the league. However, as Colon points out, the Washington defense is in shambles. They need to stock that room, and the trade of McLaurin could help them do that.
McLaurin would be a serious difference maker in San Francisco, stepping in and filling the void left by Aiyuk.