Three months ago, the Broncos traded wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and a fifth-round NFL draft pick to the 49ers in exchange for third- and fourth-round selections. The move made sense for Denver because Sanders is 32 years old and set to become an unrestricted free agent in March. The Broncos are rebuilding so acquiring higher picks was a shrewd move.
The trade also made sense for San Francisco because they were making a Super Bowl push. Even if the 49ers don’t re-sign Sanders this offseason, trading for him will be well worth it if they go on to win a title.
Sanders hasn’t put up massive numbers in San Francisco — 36 catches for 502 yards and three scores in 10 games — but he adds another weapon to the 49ers’ offense. Who knows, perhaps he’ll make a key play against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV?
The trade truly was a win-win. It was a win for Sanders, too, because he went from a team that was led by Joe Flacco at the time to a team that’s set to compete for a World Championship. If the 49ers defeat Kansas City, Sanders will have won a Super Bowl for the second time in five years.
Everybody wins.
