Former executive predicts if 49ers will trade Brandon Aiyuk

Former NFL govt and present analyst Andrew Brandt thinks the San Francisco 49ers are basically unbothered by the truth that vast receiver Brandon Aiyuk has requested a commerce amid Aiyuk’s need for a contract extension.

“The 49ers have made their intentions clear with out saying something,” Brandt stated about Aiyuk’s state of affairs throughout the newest version of “The Enterprise of Sports activities” podcast, as shared by Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. “Principally, in the event that they had been gonna commerce him or they had been gonna re-up his contract, they might’ve executed it by now.”

Aiyuk and fellow San Francisco vast receiver Deebo Samuel had been the topics of commerce rumors earlier than the 49ers made Ricky Pearsall the thirty first total choose of the 2024 NFL Draft. Whereas Aiyuk is within the last yr of his rookie contract, Samuel is signed by way of the 2025 season.

Some thought this spring the 49ers may commerce both Aiyuk or Samuel forward of the 2024 marketing campaign as a result of the membership most likely will signal quarterback Brock Purdy to an enormous contract extension subsequent offseason. 

Nonetheless, a number of insiders have extra not too long ago made it recognized they anticipate San Francisco will wait Aiyuk out and maintain him on his present deal for the reason that membership can retain his rights for 2025 through the franchise tag.

“I do not assume they’re gonna do the contract, and I do not assume they’re gonna commerce him,” Brandt added about how he believes the 49ers will deal with Aiyuk’s short-term future. “They took a first-round receiver and I feel they took a lower-round receiver (Jacob Cowing within the fourth spherical), which to me telegraphs what they’re saying right here. Aiyuk’s within the final yr of his contract. They need him there. They want him. However subsequent yr, they won’t want him.”

After information about Aiyuk’s commerce request went public on Tuesday, 49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports activities Bay Space (h/t Ali Thanawalla) reported that the 26-year-old probably must play for San Francisco on the final yr of his deal if the 2 sides do not put pen to paper on an extension earlier than Week 1. 

Such a take signifies Maiocco does not assume Aiyuk would forfeit cash by staying away from the group by way of the beginning of the common season.