The San Francisco 49ers are the defending NFC champions and the favorites in the minds of some to win the Super Bowl this coming season, but they may be in danger of losing one of their biggest weapons.
They have failed to come to an agreement with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a contract extension, and as a result, he reportedly has asked to be traded.
San Francisco has been in this position before with key players such as Deebo Samuel, who asked to be traded two years ago only to back off that request after receiving an extension.
But before that, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who wanted to be traded in 2020, had to move on, and Emmanuel Acho said on “Speak” that the 49ers cannot let that history repeat itself.
Buckner was the No. 7 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, made the Pro Bowl two years later, and then helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl during the 2019 season.
However, the Niners didn’t give him a contract extension, and they ended up trading him to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2020 for a first-round draft pick.
San Francisco then traded that pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for another first-round pick, which the Niners used on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
Kinlaw turned out to be a disappointment, while the original first-round choice they traded became Tristan Wirfs, an offensive tackle who has made the Pro Bowl three times.
San Francisco had a void at defensive tackle following that series of trades, which they looked to plug by signing Javon Hargrave last offseason, and though he has filled that void, the 49ers could’ve avoided the problem altogether by paying Buckner in 2020.
If they end up also caving in to Aiyuk’s trade request, replacing his production (1,342 yards, seven touchdowns, 17.9 yards per reception) won’t be easy by any means.
