On Tuesday, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported that Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers’ second-team All-Pro wide receiver, has requested a trade. While the management has stated that it has no plans to trade the fifth-year pro, Aiyuk’s dissatisfaction with the lack of movement on a contract extension has prompted him to ask out on the eve of training camp. According to Garafolo, the Niners have been refusing to negotiate since May.
So, what comes next? Despite the star wideout’s unhappiness, I doubt San Francisco will let him go after he finished 2023 rated seventh in receiving yards (1,342) and had the third-most big plays (28 grabs of 20 yards or more), trailing only Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb (29 each). Given that he averaged 17.9 yards per catch while posting his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, Aiyuk is a steal, playing on a fifth-year option ($14.1 million) that pays him less than half of what top pass catchers earn on the open market.
While the lack of a long-term contract has certainly irritated Aiyuk, the 49ers are utilizing their leverage to keep as much of the band together as possible during their present championship window, while also planning ahead to create a squad around a high-paying quarterback. Remember that former seventh-round pick Brock Purdy will be eligible to negotiate a contract extension next summer, perhaps putting him in the $50 million club as an excellent quarterback. The Niners must maintain some financial flexibility to absorb that huge deal, while also determining which expensive veterans (SEE: Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Aiyuk) will form the supporting cast around the franchise quarterback.
Don’t get me wrong: Aiyuk deserves to get the bag after performing at an elite level. But in the moment, Niners execs are attempting to slow play that process, giving the organization more latitude to put a Super Bowl contender on the field in 2024 and beyond.
