Despite being one of the most consistent teams in the NFL for the better part of a decade, the San Francisco 49ers are amid another offseason where a player has demanded a trade. Years after kicker Robbie Gould, running back Raheem Mostert, and wideout Deebo Samuel told the front office they wanted out, star pass-catcher Brandon Aiyuk demanded a trade on Tuesday. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Aiyuk officially requested a trade on Tuesday following “unsuccessful attempts to reach an extension.”
If San Francisco can hold onto Aiyuk, it will mark the fifth straight time a 49ers player has asked for a trade but remained with the NFC West club. Most notably, Samuel demanded a trade in 2022 but eventually signed a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension with $58.1 million guaranteed. However, fellow wideout Jauan Jennings might not be as bullish as others for San Francisco to open the pocketbook for Aiyuk.
San Francisco 49ers WR Jauan Jennings: Sends Message to Brandon Aiyuk
Via his Instagram on Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings posted a somewhat cryptic message. Jennings wrote on a black canvas, “You gotta be a different type of person to act like you doing everything by yourself knowing dang well you not.” Given Jennings’ timing, the message certainly applies to teammate Brandon Aiyuk, who requested a trade hours earlier.
Drama from Jauan Jennings IG pic.twitter.com/ChPXa1HwcI
— The Ginger Gesus (@JuszczykFan) July 16, 2024
Aiyuk is fresh off his best statistical campaign, snagging 75 passes for a career-best 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Aiyuk finished second-team All-Pro, albeit not making the Pro Bowl. Trade rumors have circulated Aiyuk for the entirety of the offseason, with the Arizona State product entering the final year of his four-year, $12 million contract. Aiyuk enters next season as one of the biggest bargains in football but will likely sign a contract worth at least $120 million starting in 2025.
Jennings: Entering Fourth NFL Season
Jauan Jennings, the wide receiver who took a shot at Brandon Aiyuk on Tuesday, will enter his fourth NFL season next year, all with the San Francisco 49ers. Jennings has played mostly a reserve role with San Francisco, never eclipsing 500 yards in a season. His best year came in 2022, catching 35 passes for 416 yards and a touchdown. However, he caught five scores despite just 24 catches during his rookie campaign circa 2021.
If San Francisco eventually parted ways with Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings could slot into a more significant role, opposite star Deebo Samuel. However, the 49ers burnt two precious draft picks on wide receivers in the last draft. In the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, San Francisco selected Florida standout Ricky Pearsall. Meanwhile, they selected Arizona Wildcats product Jacob Cowing in the fourth round.
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