Brandon Aiyuk is hoping to become the next wide receiver to sign a massive contract extension, but it seems unlikely that his current team, the San Francisco 49ers, will be the ones to offer him that lucrative deal.
After months of unsuccessful contract negotiations, Aiyuk informed the 49ers on Tuesday that he wants to be traded. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the request stems from San Francisco’s refusal to pay Aiyuk what he believes he deserves relative to the market value.
Despite his trade request, the 49ers, as noted by both Fowler and his colleague Adam Schefter, have no intention of trading Aiyuk.
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Aiyuk had an impressive season last year, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns, marking his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. This offseason, he has watched several wide receivers secure mega-extensions with their respective teams. Justin Jefferson, for instance, signed a record four-year, $140 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, making him the highest-paid receiver in football with an average annual salary of $35 million.
Similarly, AJ Brown is earning $32 million per year with his new contract from the Philadelphia Eagles, while Amon-Ra St. Brown secured a $30 million per year deal from the Detroit Lions.
Aiyuk, a former first-round pick from Arizona State, is currently in the final year of his rookie contract and is set to make just over $14 million this season. Given the current market trends, it stands to reason that Aiyuk is seeking a deal worth at least $30 million per year.
While the 49ers reportedly had a productive meeting with Aiyuk a few weeks ago, it is evident that the two sides are still far from reaching a long-term agreement.
Aiyuk has expressed his frustration with the team on numerous occasions this offseason, often hinting at his dissatisfaction through his social media activity.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Aiyuk will remain with the 49ers or find a new home with a team willing to meet his contract demands.
