After winning the Super Bowl in the 2020 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made efforts to retain all of their starters and most of their depth players from that championship squad. On the other hand, the San Francisco 49ers, who lost in the most recent Super Bowl, have undergone some changes. They fired a defensive coordinator who played a role in holding the Kansas City Chiefs to under 20 points in the game, lost several coaches from their offensive staff, and there are rumors that they may trade one of their star players, potentially to the Buccaneers.
The focus here is not whether or not there is a disagreement between the 49ers and one of their key offensive members, but rather whether the Buccaneers will benefit from any potential discord. According to a projection by Bleacher Report, the Buccaneers are one of six teams that could be a potential trade destination for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk if he decides to force his way out of San Francisco during the offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggests that Tampa Bay would be an intriguing landing spot for Aiyuk, especially if they manage to re-sign their impending free-agent quarterback, Baker Mayfield. Aiyuk could potentially replace the aging Mike Evans, who led the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions and recorded 1,255 receiving yards in the 2023 season. Knox speculates that Aiyuk’s production, paired with Mayfield as the quarterback, could provide a solid foundation for the Buccaneers. However, he also acknowledges that if the Buccaneers are unable to strike a deal with Evans, Aiyuk would still be a valuable addition and could allow the team to acquire talent in other areas with the draft capital they possess.
while the Buccaneers aim to retain their franchise legend, Mike Evans, they are seen as a potential landing spot for Brandon Aiyuk if he becomes available through a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. The Buccaneers would offer Aiyuk a favorable environment, and if a deal with Evans cannot be reached, Aiyuk would still be a valuable acquisition while allowing the Buccaneers to allocate their draft capital to other areas of need.
