The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided an update on how Monday’s meeting between disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers front office went. The 49ers and Aiyuk continue negotiating the star receiver’s extension before training camp starts in July.
There are questions about whether Aiyuk will hold out during training camp if he doesn’t sign a contract extension. Aiyuk skipped mandatory minicamp this month. The difference between what the 49ers want to offer Aiyuk and what Aiyuk wants to sign for is about $2 million.
Brandon Aiyuk is “open” to a trade
As previously discussed on GH, Aiyuk is taking the negotiation personally. He said he is open to a trade if the 49ers don’t offer him a worthy deal:
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.
The San Francisco 49ers have not changed their stance on a trade
Per Pelissero, the 49ers meeting with Aiyuk went well:
“Here’s what I can tell you. Aiyuk and 49ers’ brass met on Monday at Aiyuk’s request. This was a good meeting. From what I was told, both sides said things that needed to be said, and they’re going to keep working.”
Pelissero said the 49ers have not changed their stance on wanting to trade Aiyuk:
“It’s important to note here, there’s never been a trade request from Brandon Aiyuk. That hasn’t changed. The 49ers’ stance hasn’t changed either, despite getting trade calls on Aiyuk going back to draft week. They’re moving forward, and they want Aiyuk to be a part of the team in 2024.
So what I would anticipate here is all parties involved will go ahead and enjoy the 4th of July holiday, regroup sometime after that. They’ve still got several weeks here to see if they can hammer out a deal that locks in Brandon Aiyuk with San Francisco for the long haul.”
The report doesn’t tell us much
There is a semantic issue with Pelissero’s report. Aiyuk has not “officially” requested a trade. However, as Mike Florio with NBC Sports has explained, Aiyuk doesn’t need to. Furthermore, Aiyuk let it be known he’s “open” to a trade. Hence, Aiyuk technically requested a trade if the 49ers are unwilling to offer him a respectful deal.
Another key part of Pelissero’s quote concerns the 49ers wanting Aiyuk to be part of the 2024 team. The 49ers would prefer to use Aiyuk like the Cincinnati Bengals are using Tee Higgins for the season. Even if the 49ers don’t extend Aiyuk for the long haul, he would be helpful for a team looking to win a Super Bowl.
But will Aiyuk play for the 49ers this season if he doesn’t get the deal he wants?
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