The situation between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers is in a state of flux, with negotiations on a contract extension taking place during the league’s dead period. The outcome of these talks is far from certain, adding a layer of intrigue in the middle the offseason. Aiyuk is letting it be known he’s willing to be traded before he sits down with the 49ers for a meeting on Monday afternoon.
Brandon Aiyuk knows what he wants
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The two sides have been at odds for months, with Aiyuk’s contract expectations significantly higher than what the 49ers are willing to offer. As previously discussed on GH, Aiyuk is aiming for a deal closer to what Amon-Ra St. Brown signed with the Detroit Lions this offseason:
Per an NBC Sports article by Taylor Wirth, Mike Silver with the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting the 49ers offered Aiyuk about $26 million per year:
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver provided an update on the 49ers’ latest offer to Aiyuk in an appearance on KNBR 680’s “Papa & Lund” on Thursday.
“I’m hearing their offer is in the $26 million range, which certainly is not Justin Jefferson money, nor should it be, but it’s closer to that DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown, that next tier down,” Silver said.
If true, the $26 million-per-year average still is less than Brown’s $28 million-per-year contract with the Detroit Lions — a benchmark Aiyuk reportedly wants to surpass — and even further below what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Aiyuk’s value could be.
A matter of respect
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Aiyuk views the dollar amount as a measure of how the 49ers respect him as a player. Aiyuk and his agent, Ryan Williams, have been clear that the star receiver prefers to stay with the 49ers. Williams shot down earlier reports this offseason that Aiyuk officially requested a trade.
Aiyuk is open to being traded from the San Francisco 49ers
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Aiyuk shifted the messaging. Per Ari Meirov with the 33rd Team, Aiyuk told Ryan Clark that the lowball offers by the 49ers have affected him. Aiyuk is open to a trade:
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk told @Realrclark25 that he’s been taking negotiations “personal” and the offers so far have affected him. Aiyuk’s first choice is to stay in San Francisco, but he is comfortable playing elsewhere if they are willing to trade him. Aiyuk is meeting with the 49ers today, a meeting he requested.
Aiyuk hasn’t officially requested a trade from the 49ers, but he’s made it clear that they either need to pay him or trade him to a team that will.
What Aiyuk plans to say in his meeting with the 49ers is unclear. The 49ers must handle the situation with dignity if they hope to retain Aiyuk after sending him unsatisfactory offers this spring.
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