The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly set a high asking price for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, amidst his quest for a lucrative contract extension.
Despite his indications of wanting a move since the Super Bowl in February, the Niners have been reluctant to fulfill his wish for an extension, leading to speculation about his future with the team.
General Manager John Lynch, on Monday, expressed a reluctance to trade Aiyuk, stating, “I wouldn’t anticipate” such a move. Yet, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the possibility of a trade remains on the table with the team considering all options.
The 49ers are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Aiyuk, but this has been met with resistance from other teams. An unnamed executive suggested to the Chronicle’s Michael Silver that this asking price is too steep, while another general manager hinted that a second-round pick might be a more acceptable compromise.
Silver noted, “As of Monday night, when I posed the question to a 49ers source with direct knowledge of the team’s plans, the words I kept hearing were, ‘Anything’s possible.’” This sentiment was echoed by another team’s general manager who felt that, given the wide gap in contract negotiations, Aiyuk is “very much in play.”
Aiyuk had a standout year in 2023, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, making a crucial contribution to the 49ers’ Super Bowl run. He ranked second in the NFL in yards per reception at 17.9 and recorded seven games with over 100 receiving yards—the most by any 49ers player since Jerry Rice in 1995.
Currently under contract for one more season, Aiyuk’s push for a significant extension remains unresolved.
With the NFL Draft approaching on Thursday, the situation could see rapid developments depending on potential trade negotiations and team needs.
