NFL Rumors: Brandon Aiyuk Requests Trade from 49ers as WR Seeks New Contract

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has requested a trade from the team, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that teams that have reached out to the 49ers have been told San Francisco has “no intention” of trading the wideout.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported the New England Patriots are among the teams that inquired about a trade and were rebuffed.

Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will earn $14.1 million for the upcoming season. Negotiations with the team appear to be stalled, with Garafolo reporting the 49ers “haven’t been willing to engage in negotiations since May.”

It’s unclear how much his formal trade request will actually expedite a resolution, especially since it’s coming at a relatively late juncture of the offseason.

Everyone knew about Aiyuk’s contract status and his desire for a new deal is likewise no secret. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported in May the 2020 first-round pick was using Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $120 million pact with the Detroit Lions as a guide for his own demand.

If an interested suitor has so far failed to make a compelling enough trade offer to San Francisco, it’s difficult to see why the team would budge now.

The time to move Aiyuk was before the NFL draft. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the Niners had discussed swaps centered around Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, with an eye toward potentially moving all the way up into the top 10.

Nothing came of that. Once that window closed, any short-term incentive to moving the fifth-year wideout went with it.

For example, the Buffalo Bills took a step backward when they sent Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. In Florida State’s Keon Coleman, they might’ve at least identified his replacement through the draft.

At this point, the draft capital the 49ers receive in an Aiyuk trade wouldn’t convey until 2025 at the earliest, and the cost-savings from shedding his contract isn’t all that important when all of the best free agents are off the board.

San Francisco has its eyes on making another Super Bowl appearance and knows Aiyuk has too much to lose by refusing to report to the team for the start of the regular season. It appears the front office is prepared to let things play out and either let him walk as a free agent or franchise-tag him and go from there in 2025.