Just one week after requesting a trade from the San Francisco Forty-Niners, Brandon Aiyuk reports to the Niners training camp. This off-season for Brandon Aiyuk has been anything but quiet, as he has been pretty transparent about his desire to sign a long-term contract. Aiyuk is arguably coming off his best season, where he recorded 75 receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. With receivers like Micheal Pittman and Justin Jefferson getting long-term deals, Aiyuk is just looking for the same commitment from the Niners.
#49ers star WR Brandon Aiyuk is reporting to training camp, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo, despite his desires for a new contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2024
The team has not held extensive contract talks since May and because of that, Aiyuk has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/OsoviQOmBr
This situation isn’t unfamiliar to the Niners, as players like Robbie Gould and Deebo Samuel have both requested trades and ultimately signed long-term contracts with the team. It seems like the Niners plan on doing the same thing with Aiyuk. The Niners seem to have no desire to trade him, and with GM John Lynch telling reporters, “Brandon’s a big part of our team and we expect he will be this year,” it seems like they have him in their future.
John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) July 23, 2024
“We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward, but always open to listen to things. We expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team like he has been and excited about that.”
🎥: @KNBR pic.twitter.com/agDnJQDqOJ
Still, with no extensive contract talks since May, Aiyuk felt obligated to request a trade from the team. Aiyuk has been rumored to be traded to the Washington Commanders with his connection to number two overall pick Jayden Daniels, and the team willing to offer it seems tempting. But it has been two months since talks stopped, and no progress has been made between Aiyuk and the Niners. It will be interesting to see what happens as we are nearing one month until the season starts.
