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Terry McLaurin celebrates after the Commanders defeated the Titans, on December 01, 2024.
On Wednesday August 20, 2025, NFL insider Dianna Russini reported the San Francisco 49ers are “making calls” in pursuit of a trade for a wide receiver.
The Jets are among several teams monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions, per sources. The 49ers and Vikings are also making calls.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 20, 2025
Russini also reported that the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets are seeking to bring in wide receivers.
The 49ers have dealt with numerous injuries at the wide receiver position during 2024 training camp and the preseason. They have signed numerous wide receivers in recent weeks, but all of them have been unproven or past their prime receivers.
Essentially, likely none of them are guys that the 49ers can trust to be a primary receiver for quarterback Brock Purdy.
If the 49ers do bring in a wide receiver via trade, it could completely change the outlook for their offense to open the season. They are currently set to rely heavily on running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle. Even one decent, healthy receiver could take the offense from limited to well-rounded.
Terry McLaurin or Bust?
Niner fans inevitably hope that the receiver that general manager John Lynch and company are pursuing is Washington Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin is currently embroiled in a contract dispute with Washington. The perennial 1000-yard wide receiver and two-time Pro Bowler would not only provide needed stability to the 49ers receiver room, but when the 49ers do get healthy, they’d have one of the best receiver rooms in the NFL with McLaurin. That’s the kind of talent he is.
However, just because the 49ers are calling other teams about wide receivers doesn’t mean they are in the market for a star. It’s just as likely, if not more, that the 49ers are looking to reunite with depth piece Trent Sherfield.
They reportedly pursued John Metchie III last week before Metchie III was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. Metchie III has 40 career NFL catches for 412 yards. Those aren’t exactly the numbers of an established star.
The 49ers would love to have a star at WR but they need depth at the position just as badly. The 49ers have already gone through massive cap constraints this offseason. They are also involved in a WR contract dispute of their own with Jauan Jennings. So, bringing in someone who seeks one of the top wide receiver contracts in the NFL probably doesn’t make financial sense for them.
Still, the 49ers are getting desperate, so no moves should be considered off the table.
Other than Scary Terry, Who Could the 49ers Pursue?
According to Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, there are three teams that are most likely to look to trade away wide receivers before they finalize their 2025 53-man roster.
Those teams are the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and New York Jets.
Of those teams, the Packers have the most talent at the position. If Green Bay offered the 49ers anyone like Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs or Christian Watson, the Niners should take that deal immediately.
The Jets are another team in the market for a receiver. So although New York has a lot of options, they don’t have a lot of great ones. New York’s 2023 third-round pick, Malachi Corley, could be an intriguing option. Because if the Jets can’t move him, he might be cut outright.
Patriots undrafted free agent Efton Chism III has had a good preseason for New England. The 49ers could ask the Patriots where they stand on him.
Whatever happens, it’s truly going to be interesting to see what wide receivers the 49ers open the 2025 with on their active roster.
Niners faithful, what wide receiver do you think the 49ers should trade for?
Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman
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