San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been at the center of trade speculations during the offseason, but the team’s general manager, John Lynch, is determined to keep him on board. Lynch expressed his desire for Aiyuk to remain with the team for the entirety of his career, emphasizing ongoing discussions to solidify this intent.
Aiyuk is currently in the final year of his contract, set to earn $14.1 million under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. He has been seeking a long-term contract extension, yet negotiations with the team have not yielded an agreement despite Lynch’s positive remarks about the ongoing talks.
Reports from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggest that the 49ers have rebuffed trade proposals involving Aiyuk earlier in the offseason. However, with the NFL draft looming, there is speculation that the team might entertain offers for the 26-year-old receiver.
Lynch confirmed that there has been interest from other teams regarding Aiyuk, reflecting the typical dynamics of the NFL where inquiries for players are common. Aiyuk’s value is underscored by his impressive performance, including two consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and a pivotal role in the 49ers’ Super Bowl appearance.
Despite the potential benefits of trading Aiyuk for additional draft assets, Lynch’s priority appears to be retaining the talented receiver. With the 49ers already possessing a substantial number of draft picks, including six in the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL draft, the focus seems to be on securing Aiyuk’s future with the team rather than exploring trade options.