The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to bounce back from their Super Bowl loss, but there are concerns about the future of star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Reports of Aiyuk requesting a trade have been denied by his agent, who claims he is seeking a contract extension. Quarterback Brock Purdy has mentioned seeing Aiyuk at the team facility this offseason, attributing it to the nature of contract negotiations at this time of year.
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Aiyuk has shown steady improvement since joining the league in 2020. Despite leading the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards last season, Aiyuk was left out of the Pro Bowl. He has become a reliable target for Purdy, and trading him could diminish the team’s status as Super Bowl contenders. The Pittsburgh Steelers are rumored to be interested in acquiring Aiyuk to bolster their receiving corps.
General manager John Lynch expressed his desire for Aiyuk to remain with the 49ers long-term, citing positive discussions with the player. The franchise has dealt with similar situations before, with Deebo Samuel also expressing discontent on social media before agreeing to a contract extension. The hope is that Aiyuk and the team can come to an agreement that keeps him in San Francisco for years to come.
