The San Francisco 49ers are nearing the end of the longest-running soap opera of the NFL offseason. It seems as if the trade of disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could happen at any moment after months of stalled contract negotiations between the two teams. It certainly appears that current 49ers players are preparing for the 2024 season as if he will not be there. Christian McCaffrey referred to Aiyuk as a “former teammate” in a recent interview.
It is not that 49ers players have not been supportive of Aiyuk. In fact, the opposite is true. All-Pro tight end George Kittle, for example, has stated on numerous occasions that the Second Team All-Pro wide receiver has the backing of the entire locker room.
According to reports, though, his head coach has had enough.
San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Has Been Bothered by Brandon Aiyuk’s Behavior
According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle,
“According to multiple sources, the head coach is bothered by Aiyuk’s behavior, from the receiver’s conspicuous “bro hugs” to his perceived brooding, and is willing to part ways.”
Recently a video went viral of head coach Kyle Shanahan and Aiyuk embracing before practice started. Of course, the All-Pro wide receiver was not going to participate in practice because he is holding in. That is, Aiyuk is refusing to practice until he gets a new contract or is traded.
Those look like congratulatory hand shakes between Brandon Aiyuk, John Lynch, and Kyle Shanahan.
pic.twitter.com/hzdHNfoJjh— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) July 31, 2024
The only reason the wide receiver showed up to training camp at all was so that he would not get fined. Players that hold out and skip training camp are subject to fines of $50,000 a day. Per the NFL collective bargaining agreement, teams cannot waive these fines.
When he is not practicing, Aiyuk can be seen on the sidelines in what can be described as a brooding manner. Apparently, the constant switching between being jovial and sullen frustrated Shanahan.
The San Francisco 49ers Are Likely to Trade Brandon Aiyuk Soon
Aiyuk made it clear from the very beginning of the offseason that he would not return to the field of play for the 49ers unless he was given a new contract. Negotiations between the two sides have been going on since late February/early March.
So far apart were the 49ers and Aiyuk that many thought that San Francisco would trade the wide receiver on the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft. Had they done so, they could have gotten a first round pick and more for the Second Team All-Pro.
But they chose not to and now face the possibility of not getting any first round picks in return.
The exact team that will end up with Aiyuk remains to be seen, but by each passing moment, it is less and less likely it will be San Francisco.
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