Could A.J. Brown Be a Fit in San Francisco? Talent Says Yes, History Says Not So Fast
The San Francisco 49ers are heading into a pivotal offseason with one clear objective: upgrade at wide receiver. With Brandon Aiyuk on his way out after a rocky tenure, the Niners are evaluating their options-and one high-profile name potentially on the market is A.J. Brown.
Brown, who’s coming off a 78-catch, 1,003-yard, 7-touchdown season in Philadelphia, remains one of the league’s most physically gifted receivers. Even in what was considered a "down year" by his standards, he still posted numbers that would make him the top wideout on many rosters.
But the Eagles' offense as a whole struggled in 2025, and the Wild Card loss to San Francisco only highlighted those issues. Brown was held to just three catches on seven targets and had two uncharacteristic drops in that game.
So, would a fresh start make sense for Brown? And more importantly, would San Francisco be the right landing spot?
From a pure football standpoint, there’s a lot to like. Brown would give the 49ers a true No. 1 receiver-something they’ve lacked consistently.
His combination of size, speed, and after-the-catch ability would be a dream fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, especially with a quarterback like Brock Purdy who thrives on timing and precision. Brown can win outside, dominate over the middle, and draw defensive attention that opens up the field for others like George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey.
But the fit off the field is where things get complicated.
The 49ers have dealt with their fair share of wide receiver drama in recent seasons. Deebo Samuel had his contract standoff, but once the ink dried, he largely kept things in-house and played hard.
Aiyuk, on the other hand, became a constant source of friction. From contract negotiations to clashes over minor issues-even reportedly sparring with coaches over practice attire-his relationship with the team soured to the point where San Francisco voided his deal after a rehab dispute.
That’s the kind of baggage the franchise is trying to avoid this time around.
Brown has had his own tense moments in Philadelphia, including a very public sideline argument with head coach Nick Sirianni during that same Wild Card game. While Brown’s passion is part of what makes him great, it’s fair to wonder whether the 49ers-after everything with Aiyuk-would be willing to bring in another strong personality at the position.
Then there’s the matter of logistics. Even if San Francisco were interested, would Philadelphia be willing to send a star receiver to a team that just knocked them out of the playoffs? The rivalry between these two NFC powerhouses is real, and trades between contenders-especially ones with recent postseason history-are notoriously tough to pull off.
Still, it’s an intriguing hypothetical. Brown’s on-field talent is undeniable, and in a vacuum, he’d be a major upgrade.
But the 49ers are trying to build a roster that’s not just talented, but cohesive. After a couple of seasons spent managing off-field distractions, the front office may be more inclined to pursue a quieter, more team-first addition at wide receiver.
If nothing else, it’s a reminder that in today’s NFL, talent is only part of the equation. Fit-both on the field and in the locker room-matters just as much.
And when it comes to A.J. Brown and the 49ers, the answer might not be as simple as it seems.