Betting markets favor a blockbuster trade, but legal issues and a year-long hiatus make the 49ers' star a volatile—and unlikely—addition to the Dallas receiver room.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys are always going to be media space-fillers during the NFL offseason; that is just the nature of the beast that Jerry Jones has created.
But does NFL "Silly Season'' have no limits?
The Dallas offense, led by Dak Prescott, looks to be on track to again be one of the better units in football, with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb as Dak's top two All-Pro-level weapons.
Behind them is Ryan Flournoy, who showed promise last season and was rewarded with a move up the depth chart to the WR3 spot.
Logically, Dallas' receiver room is largely set, with KaVontae Turpin also involved and then with a battle for some end-of-the-bench action featuring new vets (like Marquez Valdes-Scantling), young returnees (Jonathan Mingo and Traeshon Holden) and raw rookies (seventh-rounder Anthony Smith).
But those facts - universally by Cowboys fans who pay attention - haven't stopped some outsiders from thinking the franchise should add another weapon.
But who? Well, here is where it gets silly. No, ridiculous. No, let's go with "embarrassing.''
Would you believe that troubled knucklehead Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers is actually on somebody's list?
Yes, according to Polymarket, the Cowboys are among the favorites to sign Aiyuk, with the move being given a 26-percent chance ... with the vision that he links up with CeeDee and George.
We understand the concept of gambling sites posting odds on goofy stuff as a way to lure you into the online casino, but ... C'mon now. ...
Let's go through it - with the four sensible obstacles ...
1 - Aiyuk hasn't played any football since 2024, and we know Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn't favor "redshirting'' in the building of the 2026 roster.
So, how healthy will he be as he comes off having torn his ACL, MCL and meniscus against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 20, 2024?
2 - Aiyuk's head is clearly not in a good place, as his backstory with the 49ers and his rehab should be enough for Dallas to stay away. He reportedly chose to rehab his injury away from the San Francisco facility (shades of Trevon Diggs) and also reportedly refused to attend rehab appointments that were mandatory.
Such was the backlash, the 49ers voided the guarantees in his contract. ... as they now try to give him away for most anything in trade.
3 - Aiyuk would serve a progress-stopper for Flournoy because if he were to land in Dallas, he could - based on raw talent alone - be the third receiver. (And he'd be a pricy backup, with a present cap hit of $13.6 million, all part of his $30 million-per-year deal that the Niners regretfully gave him).
The Cowboys want to see what they have in "Flo," and bringing Aiyuk in wouldn't allow them to see what Flournoy is fully capable of.
4 - Aiyuk is a behavioral knucklehead.
No, that's not a clinical word. But it's clearly the right one. He's posting photos of himself with Washington Commanders gear (that's his desired landing spot due to his college friendship with QB Jayden Daniels), he's issuing outlandish statements, and now, as we write this, there is a warrant out for an arrest for a misdemeanor speeding charge.
Dallas' precious culture - coach Brian Schottenheimer's No. 1 project around here - is a work in progress. Aiyuk would completely upset that psychological apple cart.
Those are the first four of a bunch of reasons why Aiyuk to Dallas makes zero sense.
Pick your favorite for your bet. Just don't pick Aiyuk for your team.
