Brandon Aiyuk Officially Requests Trade from San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade from the organization. This comes after a tumultuous offseason of back and forth between the two parties on whether or not an extension would be signed.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that sources told him that multiple teams have contacted the 49ers about potential trade packages for the star receiver, but the organization has told them all that they have zero intention of moving Aiyuk.
Aiyuk is looking to be paid around the same as other big names at the position like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith who have all inked big time deals this offseason.
Aiyuk has come into his role as a number one receiver in the past two years, putting up 1,000-yard seasons in the last two seasons, helping to lead the 49ers to one Super Bowl appearance and two NFC Championship games. The Niners have a tough decision because they do not have anyone to take over the role that Aiyuk plays in their offense. Fans believe rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall from Florida, who the Niners took in this year’s first round of the draft, will take over for Aiyuk.
Deebo Samuel can not replicate his production as he is more of a jack-of-all-trades master of none player who is used more as a gadget player rather than a traditional receiver on the outside. Samuel was in a similar situation with the organization back in the 2022 offseason, but the two parties were still able to come to an agreement even after Samuel requested for a trade.
Aiyuk will most likely not participate in any training camps until either a trade or contract is done. This will be a huge hit to the Niners offense if they are unable to resign the 26-year-old receiver.
Throughout the offseason, Aiyuk has dropped hints of his disappointment with a lack of extension, using social media to show his frustration with the organization. He also told former college teammate and this year’s second-overall pick in the draft Jayden Daniels that the Niners “don’t want me back.”
The loss of Aiyuk would put the Niners at serious risk of losing the NFC West to the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks who are hot on their tail.
