Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Brandon Aiyuk

Monday, March 31, 12:36 PM

When asked about potentially signing free-agent wide receiver Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "Anything's possible. That would be cool." Allen remains on the free-agent market after a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears in which he caught 70 of his 121 targets for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 starts. The Bolts took the 32-year-old veteran in the third round (76th overall) back in 2013 out of California, and he spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the team. Allen was a Pro Bowler from 2017-21 and posted six 1,000-yard seasons for the team. However, he certainly looked to have lost a step in 2024 and would not have the same kind of role if he returned to L.A. now that Ladd McConkey has taken over as QB Justin Herbert's top target in the passing game.

Monday, March 31, 3:16 PM

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers are not expected to trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee). The sixth-year pro will be due a bonus of $22.85 million on Tuesday if he is on the team's roster. Aiyuk exploded in 2023 with a 75-1,342-7 line and signed a four-year $120 million contract extension as a reward. However, a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of 2024 cut his season short, though it's worth noting he wasn't overly productive before the injury. The 49ers have already flipped one star wideout this offseason, sending Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders, so it is in the team's best interest to hold Aiyuk despite the hit to their cap. There is still no timetable for the 27-year-old's return, but he recently got good reviews regarding his recovery. He'll compete with teammates George Kittle and Jauan Jennings for targets when he's healthy.