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The\u00a0Green Bay Packers\u00a0wasn’t all-in\u00a0to acquire DK Metcalf, but there was still some hope that they could make a move. It’s now over as well. The\u00a0San Francisco 49ers\u00a0is keeping\u00a0wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk\u00a0around, and there’s no great options left to acquire a top veteran.<\/p>\n
“I expect Brandon to be a part of us,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said at the League Meetings. “There’s probably spillover from last year when we were going through his contract thing and a number of teams became interested in Brandon. People called, you always take calls from folks, but we’ve always been interested in Brandon being part of the Niners. We made that decision when we signed him. It’s good to hear that he’s tracking well with his progress. He’s working really hard to do so, and I expect fully that Aiyuk will be a part of us moving forward.”<\/p>\n
The 49ers gave Aiyuk a four-year extension last season, after considering a trade to the\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers\u00a0that was really close. Lynch said they are happy with the decision.<\/p>\n
“No, there’s no regret,” Lynch added. “I didn’t know that I dovetailed at the Combine. We loved Aiyuk as a football player. We did when we drafted him and we’re excited to move forward with him.”<\/p>\n
April 1 was a deadline for San Francisco to trade Aiyuk, because there are multiple triggers on the receiver’s contract, and it would make no sense to move him at a later date.<\/p>\n
Brian Gutekunst\u2019s decision not to acquire Aiyuk is not a surprise whatsoever. Historically, he doesn\u2019t like the combination of spending draft capital plus cap space, unless it\u2019s for a transformative player. Controlled cost is a big factor for the management.<\/p>\n
Even with\u00a0Christian Watson expected to miss a significant part of the season\u00a0recovering from a knee injury, the Packers haven’t invested much in the position so far. The only addition in free agency was Mecole Hardman, who’s expected to have more impact as a returner.<\/p>\n
Obviously, the draft is yet to come, and taking another wide receiver early is on the table. General manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t ruling Watson out to make an impact this season, but the team has to be prepared for any outcome.<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t count him out just because I know his work ethic and how he approaches things,” Gutekunst said at the League Meetings. “Certainly, it won’t shock me at all if he’s a big factor for us this season, but at the same time, we have to make sure we’re protecting him in case that doesn’t happen.”<\/p>\n
Right now, though, it’s the draft or nothing for Green Bay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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