The San Francisco 49ers publicly say they want to extend star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. But there is only so much money in San Francisco. An NFL insider recently wrote that the 49ers might have a change of heart about parting with Aiyuk.
Brandon Aiyuk is playing on his fifth-year option
Aiyuk is set to play on his fifth-year option for the 2024 season. The 49ers and Aiyuk are currently negotiating terms for an extension. Aiyuk wants to be paid like an elite wide receiver such as Tyreek Hill. The 49ers think he’s good, but not $30-million-a-year good.
Rumors have spread around this offseason that the 49ers could trade Aiyuk and recoup some value by losing their top wide receiver. With Brock Purdy eligible for an extension next season, the 49ers need to keep some money on the books for future seasons.
The San Francisco 49ers might have to trade Aiyuk
At the annual league meeting last week, the 49ers denied they were fielding trade offers for Aiyuk. However, Albert Breer with Sports Illustrated isn’t sure that policy will last. Breer suggested the 49ers are in a weak position to sign Aiyuk and could be persuaded into trading the 26-year-old:
The Brandon Aiyuk negotiation won’t be easy for the San Francisco 49ers. And I wonder what they do when teams start sniffing around with trade offers as we get closer to the draft.
Bad timing for a WR trade
One bit of bad luck for the 49ers: April’s draft has a deep class of talented wide receivers. The 49ers might not have the leverage they would in most years to make a draft-night trade with Aiyuk. If they know they cannot give Aiyuk a better price for a long-term contract, the 49ers might have to accept a lesser asking price for AIyuk.
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