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Analyst pitches win-win scenario for Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst pitches win-win scenario for Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers

Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers are currently locked into a monthslong game of who will blink first.

The star receiver has reportedly requested to be traded amid growing frustration over contract negotiations that are seemingly going nowhere while the team appears unwilling to budge on the $26 million-per-year offer it already gave the 26-year-old earlier this offseason.

But FanDuel’s Kay Adams believes she has a simple solution to appease both parties — one that involves a little compromise from both sides.

“[49ers GM John] Lynch could theoretically go to Brandon and say, ‘Hey, we will rip up the fifth-year option and give you a new one-year deal, fully guaranteed at around $25 million. We want you to take back that trade request, play out this year and then let’s revisit this once we’ve won the Super Bowl. Let’s talk about this again in the offseason,’” Adams stated on “Up & Adams.”

Adams’ proposal does have its merit.

The 49ers would be caving a little on their end in paying Aiyuk $11M more next season than he would make on his $14.1M fifth-year option, and Aiyuk would be sacrificing some in rescinding his trade request and waiting one more season to get the long-term extension he’s seeking.

The proposed situation almost makes too much sense, making it all the more unlikely the two sides come to such a compromise.

“Lynch doesn’t need to do that, but I would say this year is the time for the 49ers to make one more run with this loaded roster before they do have to start making the sacrifices because of [having to pay Brock Purdy] and everybody else,” Adams added. “Why not do what you can to keep Aiyuk happy, give yourself some flexibility going forward and keep the door open to a long-term deal?”

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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