Despite the public position taken by the San Francisco 49ers’ front office, there is increasing evidence that a trade is in the works for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
As previously reported here, long-time 49ers reporter Grant Cohn recently opined that the 49ers ought to trade Aiyuk because he will never be happy in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. Now, an experienced San Francisco Chronicle sports reporter is echoing the sentiment that a trade of the star receiver is a distinct possibility and that the 49ers have actively engaged in discussions concerning a possible trade of Aiyuk.
Intel: Draft-Day Trade of Aiyuk “Very Much in Play”
Michael Silver of the Chronicle reported on April 23, 2024, that a trade of Aiyuk during the upcoming NFL Draft is “very much in play.” Specifically, Silver reports:
“Based on what I’m hearing from knowledgeable sources inside the building, and from high-ranking personnel executives and coaches around the league, don’t rule out a deal that would send Brock Purdy‘s favorite target to another team.”
The 49ers and Aiyuk are far apart in contract negotiations, and the 49ers have reached out to at least one other team’s general manager to gauge interest in Aiyuk.
San Francisco GM Publicly Says the 49ers Want to Keep Aiyuk
49ers GM John Lynch told the media that the team’s goal is to keep Aiyuk. He said the 49ers and Aiyuk’s representatives are engaged in negotiations concerning a long-term contract. The public line from Lynch is, “We’re focused on B.A. being part of us.”
Aiyuk is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024 season if he does not sign a contract extension this offseason. Silver reported for the Chronicle that sources informed him “Aiyuk is seeking a contract with an annual average of ‘well over $25 million,'” and added that the 49ers are unwilling to meet that price.
Aiyuk Is Available for the Right Price, And that Price Is High
Silver reports that the 49ers are seeking a 2024 first-round pick for Aiyuk. Thus far, high-ranking executives around the league have balked at that asking price.
Aiyuk, who is now 26 years old, was the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
If the 49ers sign Aiyuk to a long-term deal, they will likely be financially compelled to move on from WR Deebo Samuel. Indeed, NBC Sports reported that “it appears unlikely San Francisco will be able to afford both” Aiyuk and Samuel. And, the 49ers have reportedly assured Samuel that they will not trade him. Samuel is going into the third year of a three-year $71.5 million deal.
In a recent mock draft, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has the 49ers trading Aiyuk to the Los Angeles Charges in exchange for the fifth overall selection in the Draft, along with the exchange of a couple of other draft picks.
It will be intriguing to watch how Aiyuk’s status impacts the 2024 NFL Draft.
Stay tuned for continued reporting.
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