San Francisco 49ers Grant Brandon Aiyuk Permission to Seek Trade
San Francisco 49ers Grant Brandon Aiyuk Permission to Seek Trade
Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the locker room prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV.(Image- Getty)
In a significant development, the San Francisco 49ers have given wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk permission to seek a trade, indicating that contract negotiations with the 26-year-old are unlikely to be resolved. This move allows Aiyuk to negotiate with other teams, paving the way for potential trade terms with the 49ers.
Background
Two weeks ago, 49ers General Manager John Lynch attempted to downplay trade talks involving the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns. However, multiple reports suggest that the 49ers have already established the framework for trades with several teams, excluding the Steelers. Patriots Head Coach Jerod Mayo declined to comment on the reports, citing his learned approach from Bill Belichick to not discuss players from other teams.
Update on Trade Talks
ESPN reported that the New England Patriots will not pursue Aiyuk and instead focus on developing their young receiving corps. Aiyuk, the 25th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is set to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on the fifth-year team option of his rookie deal. He led the 49ers with 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2023.
Contract Situation
Lynch stated that he would "never close the door on a trade" with Aiyuk in the final season of his contract. The wide receiver market has seen significant developments, with Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Amon-Ra St. Brown all securing lucrative deals. Aiyuk is attending training camp to avoid fines but is not practicing with the team. Under the collective bargaining agreement, players who don't report are subject to fines of up to $50,000 per day.
In summary, the 49ers have granted Aiyuk permission to seek a trade, signaling a likely end to his time in San Francisco. While trade talks are ongoing, the Patriots have reportedly withdrawn from the negotiations. Aiyuk's contract situation and the recent wide receiver market developments have contributed to this significant development.
