The Brandon Aiyuk soap opera took a headline-grabbing turn on Tuesday, when NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported that the second-team All-Pro wide receiver has requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers.
While the team has suggested it does not have any plans to deal the fifth-year pro, Aiyuk’s unhappiness with the lack of progress on a contract extension has prompted him to ask out on the eve of training camp.
According to Garafolo, the Niners have been unwilling to engage in negotiations since May.
Despite the star wideout’s displeasure, I’m skeptical San Francisco will move on from the 26-year-old after he finished 2023 ranked seventh in receiving yards (1,342), producing the third-most big plays (28 receptions of 20-yard-plus), behind only Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb (29 apiece).
Considering the guy averaged a whopping 17.9 yards per catch while posting his second straight 1,000-yard season, Aiyuk is quite a bargain, playing on a fifth-year option ($14.1 million) that pays him less than half of what premier pass catchers are making on the open market.
While the lack of a long-term deal has clearly drawn the ire of Aiyuk, the 49ers are using their leverage to keep as much of the band together as possible in their current championship window, while also thinking ahead to building a roster around a big-money quarterback.
Remember, former seventh-round pick Brock Purdy will be eligible to sign a contract extension next offseason that could push him into the $50 million club as an elite quarterback.
