Brandon Aiyuk Trade Opportunity Gone As 49ers Deal With Major Oddity

Brandon Aiyuk was picked by the San Francisco 49ers No. 25 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

After being a solid contributor right away, Aiyuk burst into a major role as a primary target in his third and fourth years in the league, the latter being an All-Pro campaign with over 1,300 receiving yards.

But ever since the end of that season when San Francisco lost in the Super Bowl, Aiyuk has been an oddity in the 49ers' organization.

Last offseason was plagued with his contract holdout that stretched deep into preseason play. General manager John Lynch flirted with trade partners during that time but eventually signed him to a heavy four-year, $120 million extension just before the season started.

Then? Things got worse. Aiyuk tore his ACL halfway through the year.

Amidst his recovery this offseason, the oddness has lingered.

You can bank on a weekly occurrence of Aiyuk posting or saying something that reasserts his disgruntled attitude toward the 49ers' organization. He felt disrespected last offseason, and the grudge hasn't gone anywhere since.

The front office can't do much else but think that a trade may be the only option left that is mutually beneficial. San Fran can unload his contract because they won't be getting the leadership payout they imagined, and Aiyuk will get what he wants in a relocation to move on.

Niners Nation is split on this saga, with Aiyuk showing the ability to be a capable No. 1 option receiver when he's on the field, but his attitude and now health being a poison to those fruits.

Lynch has maintained the belief that there is "no regret" in signing the receiver to last offseason's contract. "We love Brandon Aiyuk as a football player," the GM has said.

But when he's not able to play football? It's hard to imagine the situation without any tension and angst. Aiyuk isn't helping his cause in making it look like the two sides have made up from their pasts, either.

Aiyuk will get healthy - coincidentally or fatefully - right around the mid-season trade deadline. That would be when his trade value will have peaked.  

It also raises the largest question of them all...

Has Brandon Aiyuk played his final game in a 49ers uniform?