Brandon Aiyuk listed Beckham, circa 2014 or so, as one of his all-time favorite receivers, which is ironic only in that the 49ers’ rising star is unsigned beyond next season, and the Giants have the same pressing need that they have had since trading their last No. 1 option in 2019.
Actually, the Jets, who flirted with signing Beckham as a free agent last season, have a starting wideout on their offseason shopping list, too.
“Just Odell’s ability to go [off] at any time, he was exciting,” Aiyuk said as he recalled being a high-school student in Nevada, where he will play Sunday against the Chiefs in Super Bowl 2024, and watching Beckham’s famous one-handed touchdown catch. “You might be watching the game and then all of a sudden here comes Odell flashing the swag that he played with.”
Giants fans are starved for more of that game-breaking ability.
Despite big investments in Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay and even tight end Darren Waller to spark the passing attack, no pass-catcher has topped 775 yards in any of the past five seasons — let alone approached the 1,095 yards Beckham averaged from 2014-18.
The Jets went six seasons (2016-21) without a 1,000-yard receiver and now are looking to find another threat to cast with Garrett Wilson, like they had with Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall in 2015.
And Aiyuk — who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons — is one of the most popular names floated in NFL trade circles because his is one of 10 contracts worth at least $14 million on the 49ers’ 2024 salary cap — including a three-year, $71.5 million extension for receiver Deebo Samuel. Where does that leave Aiyuk?
“I’m an elite receiver in this game,” Aiyuk said matter-of-factly.
But where will be catching passes in the future?
He claimed he hasn’t seen the constant trade speculation. General manager John Lynch might have cost himself a few bucks in negotiations when he recently expressed his disappointment in Aiyuk’s Pro Bowl snub.
“I expect to be here,” said Aiyuk, who has one more year remaining on his contract.
