49ers Expect Brandon Aiyuk To Play In San Francisco This Season, Unless They Trade Him

The San Francisco 49ers expect receiver Brandon Aiyuk to report for training camp Tuesday afternoon and Aiyuk's representation is expecting the same thing. So there is some agreement in a relationship that has had precious little of that the last few months.

But if you think that signals both sides are on the same page, that's incorrect. Because they're not.

Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Aiyuk Future With Niners Still Unclear

The truth is that even while the 49ers have been trying very hard to get a contract extension signed with their best receiver, they're struggling to predict exactly how that will play out.

So on Tuesday, general manager John Lynch made the point he expects Aiyuk on the team this coming season. But in the next breath, Lynch couldn't categorically rule out trading Aiyuk.

"We've had great communication," Lynch said. "We started this really early, we made it a priority to try to get it done. We've had excellent communication throughout. Really don't want to characterize it. We haven't been able to, and that's a shame.

"But Brandon is a big part of our team and we expect that he will be this year."

Lynch went so far as to even repeat the sentiment.

"Brandon's a big part of this team," the GM echoed, "and we expect that he will be going forward."

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers gerneral manager John Lynch during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

John Lynch Cannot Rule Out A Trade

Great, so this will get done. Right?

Well, maybe.

Because one question later, Lynch was reminded that last year he stated categorically that Nick Bosa would not be traded amid a similar difficult contract negotiation. 

The club and Bosa finally signed a new deal on Sept. 6 – mere days before the regular-season opener.

So could Lynch give a similar absolute statement about not trading Aiyuk despite the fact the receiver has asked to be traded?

"I did say that with Bosa," Lynch said after a bit of a nervous laugh. "And I felt that way. But I think, again, no absolutes there. We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward. We're always open to listen to things. But, like I said, we expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team like he has been and excited about that."

Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) battles for the ball against Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during the second half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Aiyuk Future Still Hangs In Balance

Did you catch that?

Lynch last year knew that he knew that he knew that Bosa wasn't going anywhere. And he was so confident of that fact, he told reporters.

But on Tuesday he couldn't deliver the same sentiment about Aiyuk. Why?

Lynch isn't 100 percent certain this time. Because the negotiations with Aiyuk's representation, professional and amicable as such things can be, have been challenging.

And if that continues, the 49ers might be tempted to go in a different direction – regardless of their desire to keep the receiver.

"This one has been challenging," Lynch agreed. "There's a lot of dynamics – I'm not going to get into all of them – but there's a lot of dynamics why it has been challenging."

49ers Have Ton Of Highly Paid Players

One challenge: The 49ers apparently would like to enjoy the benefits of having the fifth-year option in place for this season with Aiyuk, whereas the receiver wants to basically cast that aside and start a four- or five-year deal from scratch.

The fifth-year option "is something we all signed up for when you have a first-round pick," Lynch maintains.

Another issue for the 49ers is the club has a lot of highly paid players already. And adding a second highly paid receiver, atop having the league's highest paid running back, and third-highest paid tight end, and highest-paid fullback, and second-highest-paid linebacker can become an issue.

That issue becomes bigger considering the 49ers will eventually also have to pay quarterback Brock Purdy.

"We've got a lot of talented players and we've rewarded a lot," Lynch said. "So it does become more challenging at times when you've rewarded so many players."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Will Brandon Aiyuk Hold In?

The next chapter of this saga is monitoring Aiyuk's desire to practice. Yes, he's reporting. But is he practicing? 

Several players, including Packers quarterback Jordan Love, manage their contract issues with teams by reporting to camp but then declining to practice.

On that front, the 49ers have no equivocation.

"We expect all our players to practice," head coach Kyle Shanahan said.