Brandon Aiyuk made a drastic decision. In the midst of a difficult negotiation with the San Francisco 49ers, the star receiver asked to be traded after failing to reach an agreement for a new and more lucrative contract. The team can exercise the fifth year option on Aiyuk’s contract, but there is no official decision yet.
Aiyuk’s future with the Niners has been in the balance all offseason. Under his rookie contract, the Arizona State Sun Devils product will earn $14.4 million in his fifth year with the team, seven times what he earned in 2023 but well below the current wide receiver market.
The annual salaries of receivers soared in the most recent offseason, with AJ Brown earning $32 million per year with the Philadelphia Eagles, Amon-Ra St. Brown earning $30 million with the Detroit Lions, the same amount Tyreek Hill will earn with the Miami Dolphins.
With prices sky-high, it’s not hard to speculate that Aiyuk would like a piece of the pie.
Aiyuk’s decision
According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, despite a recent meeting between the player and the team, there have been no negotiations since this past May. Amid this discouraging panorama, a source assured Garafolo that “Aiyuk has respectfully asked out.”
“All-Pro WR Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade after an offseason of unsuccessful attempts to reach an extension,”Garafolo explained in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Since the end of June, the receiver has been giving clues about his possible decision in the face of failed negotiations with the team. Although he expressed his desire to stay in Santa Clara, he also said, “If not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commanders uniform. If not a Washington Commanders’ uniform, probably a Steelers’ uniform.”
The Niners have yet to say anything regarding the recent rumors, but their hands are by no means tied.
The possible response of the 49ers
Aiyuk just finished the mandatory fourth year of his rookie contract with San Francisco. However, the agreement gives the team the possibility of exercising a fifth year, gaining room to negotiate an extension at the end of the 2024 season.
Furthermore, the team could use its franchise tag on Aiyuk in 2025 and even 2026, completely changing the negotiating table for the player. Only at the end of the 2026 season could Aiyuk become an unrestricted free agent.
The cards are on the table. Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers have a tense negotiation ahead, and only time will tell if we will see the star receiver again wearing the red and gold uniform or if he will change colors.