The San Francisco 49ers were between a rock and a hard place earlier in the summer.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was looking for a new contract and requested a trade in response. Ultimately, the two sides ended up negotiating a deal that was pretty fair for both sides. It sounds like the 49ers did look around for other options, though.
San Francisco reportedly called the Minnesota Vikings about a possible blockbuster trade involving receiver Justin Jefferson but was shut down, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"Amid the offseason uncertainty surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers checked in on Justin Jefferson's availability before this year's (National Football League) draft, but the Vikings had zero interest in trading the star wide receiver and immediately rebuffed San Francisco's inquiries, league sources told ESPN," Schefter said. "The 49ers were not the only team to check in on Jefferson. The (New York Jets) and (Indianapolis Colts) also had some level of interest, but the Vikings never considered moving the three-time Pro Bowler and talks never went anywhere, according to sources."
If the 49ers somehow were able to land Jefferson, it would've been a complete game-changer. San Francisco already is among the best teams in football and made a run to the Super Bowl last year, although it ultimately fell to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Adding a dynamic player like Jefferson would've taken the 49ers to an even higher level and would've made them the clear favorites to win the Super Bowl.
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