Report: San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk Makes Massive Contract Demand; Fans Beg For Trade

Aiyuk and teammate Deebo Samuel were the subject of trade rumors before the 2024 NFL Draft. Those rumors persisted after the 49ers selected wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 pick. The 49ers appeared to take Pearsall with the foresight that Samuel or Aiyuk would not be on the team for the 2025 season.

Aiyuk’s agent, Ryan Williams, has denied a couple of “reports” about Aiyuk and a potential trade from the 49ers. Aiyuk has publicly stated he wants to stay with the 49ers, but he wants to be paid what he “deserves.”

We have an idea of what Aiyuk thinks he deserves from the 49ers.

Brandon Aiyuk wants more than Amon-Ra St. Brown

According to Jeremy Fowler with ESPN, Aiyuk wants to top what the Detroit Lions gave Amon-Ra St. Brown this offseason:

“I was told the benchmark here is Amon-Ra St. Brown,” Fowler said, per a transcription by First and 49ers. He got $28 million a year on a four-year from Detroit. The goal appears to be to try to beat that. [Aiyuk] doesn’t have to be the highest paid in the league, but he’s done enough and he’s accomplished enough in that offense to where he is probably going to need to be at that number or higher.”

St. Brown put up better numbers than Aiyuk for the 2023 season. St. Brown caught 119 passes for 1,515 yards and ten touchdowns. Aiyuk recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. St. Brown has better stats than Aiyuk for all three seasons he’s been in the league.

49ers fans reconsider a trade

The same fanbase that was desperate to keep Aiyuk earlier this spring is reconsidering its position after Fowler’s report. Some fans think Aiyuk should play out the season on his current contract and head to free agency. After all, the 49ers are competing for a Super Bowl. Other fans think the 49ers should try and recoup draft capital for the former first-round pick.