Who Should I Start? Russell Gage or Brandon Aiyuk

Monday, March 11, 6:31 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) is now a free agent. When the team reworked his deal last year, it included an option for the 2024 season, and the team has declined to pick it up. The move clears what would have been $10 million in salary, but the Bucs will take on roughly $6.9 million in dead money from old restructures. Gage signed a three-year, $30 million in free agency before the 2022 season to give quarterback Tom Brady another weapon in the passing game. He did have a career-high five touchdowns in 2022, but he also had a disappointing 51 catches for 426 yards and didn't play at all last year due to a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in training camp in August. The 28-year-old should resurface with another team, but coming off a major knee injury, it's unlikely that he'll be able to make much of a fantasy impact wherever he lands.

Sunday, April 14, 1:45 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk recently unfollowed the 49ers' account on the social media platform Instagram. He's also voiced his displeasure regarding his contract situation. However, the wideout's agent, Ryan Williams, responding to a post on X, denied that a trade had been requested. Aiyuk is coming off his best season, amassing 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Understandably, he wants a new deal instead of playing under his fifth-year option, which would pay him just over $14 million in 2024-25. Nonetheless, while general manager John Lynch has stated the organization doesn't plan to deal Aiyuk, it seems things aren't moving in a favorable direction. As usual in this type of situation, more updates should be on the horizon.