The San Francisco 49ers lost very little talent from the core group of players that got them to the Super Bowl last year.
It’s no surprise Kyle Shanahan and company are entering the 2024 season expected to be one of the best teams in the league yet again and they clearly have aspirations to get back to the big game.
But one of the biggest storylines all offseason has centered around the San Francisco 49ers possibly trading one of their star wide receivers. Since the end of the season, All-Pro wideout Brandon Aiyuk has been linked to multiple trade rumors as he enters the final year of his contract.
He publicly voiced his displeasure and desire for a contract extension which led many to believe a trade was inevitable.Yet as of now, the San Francisco 49ers haven’t moved Aiyuk, but it’s still uncertain whether the organization will give him the contract extension he is seeking. If they do opt to pay him, he will likely earn money that is equal or greater to the top wideouts in the NFL. Coming off an All-Pro season, Aiyuk is viewed across the NFL as a true No.1 dominant wide receiver who can run all the routes, line up in multiple spots in a given formation, separate from defensive backs and haul in the football even in tight windows or contested situations.
More recently, Deebo Samuel’s name came up as a possible trade option just ahead of the NFL Draft. Both players are key pieces to the 49ers offense —and while there hasn’t been a move made as of yet — the additions of two talented wide receivers in the first round and fourth round of the NFL Draft back in April led to speculation at least one of the two veteran pass catchers will be traded before the start of the 2024 season.
Despite drafting two wide receivers with premium draft picks in April, 49ers GM John Lynch made an appearance on the Pat McAfee show shortly after the NFL Draft and said the organization has moved on from the idea of trading either wideout.
“During the course of drafts and offseasons, do conversations happen? Absolutely they do,” Lynch said, via Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. “We’re past that now.”
“We’re thrilled to add to that group [of] Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, Danny Gray, and now you add Ricky Pearsall, Jake Cowing. We made an already strong group even stronger.”
San Francisco 49ers Star WR Brandon Aiyuk Plans To Skip OTAs Due To Contract Frustration
Lynch continues to state publicly the plan is to keep both Samuel and Aiyuk moving forward. Samuel got a significant contract extension in 2022 and Aiyuk is playing on the 5th-year option in 2024 while he waits to see if the organization is going to stick by its word.
“I’m doing everything in my power to keep our roster together,” Lync That’s my goal. And I don’t question that,” Lynch said. “I’ve got so much belief. When you’ve got Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo, those are guys we drafted. They’re guys we take a lot of pride in who they’ve become. We couldn’t be more proud of those guys.”
“Part of my job is to think about the now and to think into the future, as well. … We don’t do that without thinking, ‘Can these guys contribute right away?’ We have a vision for both those guys [Pearsall and Cowing], how they can contribute. They represent a lot of the qualities we like. They were the best players there for us at the time. We’re thrilled to add those guys to an already strong room. We’re ready to roll forward.”
But as June gets closer, the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk still haven’t reached an extension, leaving the door open for plenty of speculation.
Lynch has been vague about contract negotiations when it comes to Aiyuk, but has continued to say he wants him to be with the 49ers for his entire career.
“I’ve communicated [on] many occasions, our wish, and our wish is that he’s here and a part of the 49ers for the rest of his career. We’re working through that.”
NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reported early on Tuesday morning that the two sides aren’t any closer to an agreement than they have been all offseason and that Aiyuk isn’t expected to attend offseason activities with the start of OTAS ready to begin.
“The Insiders” is back on @nflnetwork, with the latest on Tua, Daniel Jones, Trevor Lawrence, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, Rashee Rice, CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, more.
📺📱📺 Full episodes at https://t.co/RV7mRM3S0M pic.twitter.com/WzfwstJxFi— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 21, 2024
“It doesn’t seem like they are any closer at this point than they have been over the last few weeks and months so don’t expect to see Aiyuk around for anything that’s voluntary and let’s see about the mandatory stuff as well. You know he wants this done, he doesn’t want to have to play on the last deal of his contract.”
Garafolo continued by speculating if the San Francisco 49ers brass can’t reach an agreement with Aiyuk he could force there hand and demand a trade, but noted it hasn’t reached that point yet despite plenty of speculation.
This is a fascinating situation as each day and week passes. As of now, it’s not a massive deal for Aiyuk to miss voluntary OTAs but if he begins holding out when mandatory mini camp or training camp rolls around, the stakes get much higher.
