As the Brandon Aiyuk trade saga continues to drag on, the San Francisco 49ers have added veteran wide receiver Chosen Anderson to their roster.
David Canter and Ness Mugrabi, Anderson’s agents, confirmed to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that their client will sign with the 49ers.
The 49ers are currently shorthanded at the position, not just because of the Aiyuk situation. First-round pick Ricky Pearsall, who already missed time with a hamstring injury, left Tuesday’s practice early with a shoulder injury.
Danny Gray, who hasn’t appeared in a game since 2022, has been seen wearing a blue non-contact jersey in training camp. Undrafted rookie Terique Owens was waived on Wednesday.
Aiyuk is the focal point of everything happening with the 49ers at this point. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported on Monday that the Niners had the framework of a trade in place with the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns for the Pro Bowl receiver.
NFL insider Josina Anderson noted the Patriots took themselves out of the running due to a “feeling” that Aiyuk didn’t want to play for them and that the Pittsburgh Steelers were his preferred landing spot.
Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Matt Barrows and Mike DeFabo, the 49ers “haven’t been satisfied” with the Steelers’ offers to this point and they want to get a receiver back if they are going to trade Aiyuk.
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported on Tuesday’s episode of Get Up that Amari Cooper would be included in the trade if the 49ers and Browns made a deal for Aiyuk.
Anderson hasn’t played for Kyle Shanahan before, but he does have experience in a version of the 49ers’ system. The 31-year-old appeared in nine games for the Miami Dolphins with head coach Mike McDaniel last season.
McDaniel and Shanahan worked together for 11 seasons dating back to 2011 when they were both on Mike Shanahan’s staff in Washington. McDaniel was on Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco from 2017 to ’21, serving as offensive coordinator in his final season.
Anderson only caught four passes for the Dolphins, but he averaged 31.5 yards per reception. He averaged at least 14.0 yards per catch in five of his first seven seasons from 2016 to ’22.
