Brandon Aiyuk Wants To Be Traded From 49ers And Teams Would Be Interested Except For One Problem

The on-again, off-again relationship between receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers has hit another snag as the wide receiver wants to be traded.

Aiyuk's representation officially asked the team for a trade in recent days, OutKick has confirmed. NFL Media was first to report the request.

This comes after months of rumors that the receiver, unhappy with his contract extension talks with the club, wanted to go elsewhere. The Aiyuk camp previously denied a trade request had been made.

Brandon Aiyuk Wants Contract Or Trade

That was in April. Here we are in July and the story has changed.

The change comes after talks with the team, in which no new concrete offer was actually made. So Aiyuk and his people, unable to get the 49ers to step up with a new offer so far, are now wanting out. 

And they're asking permission to speak with other teams on Aiyuk's behalf.

Aiyuk is in the final year of his contract so he needs permission to speak with other teams. It's unclear whether the 49ers, who have said for some time they wish to keep Aiyuk, would grant him permission to shop for a trade.

When teams called about Aiyuk in the leadup and during the draft, the 49ers said they were keeping Aiyuk. So the chances the club has changed its mind are not high.

But … what if the 49ers are willing to engage in seeing what the market for Aiyuk actually might be now?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers reacts before 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)

John Lynch Knows Trade Market

Niners General manager John Lynch had an inkling of what it was during the NFL draft. But this is different. This would likely involve getting a 2025 draft pick – likely a first-rounder.

What teams would want to pay Aiyuk a premium salary and also give up a high draft pick?

The two teams that have been most mentioned are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders. And both come with issues.

The Steelers would very much love to find a premier receiver to couple with George Pickens on the outside. Pickens, Aiyuk and tight end Pat Freiermuth would present starting quarterback Russell Wilson with significant and ample weapons.

But the Steelers are typically not in the business of trading away draft picks. They're usually in the business of drafting receivers in the second and third rounds and turning them into homegrown stars.

The Commanders would love to add a veteran star receiver to team with Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin. Yes, they drafted Luke McCaffrey but, you know, Brandon freaking Aiyuk.

All this drama is not new to the 49ers.

Not only have rumors of Aiyuk's possible trade been circulating since the draft, they walked through a similar exercise with receiver Deebo Samuel before finally signing him to an extension in 2022.

That signing didn't happen until late July. And, yes, Samuel asked to be traded before the deal got done.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 07: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball up the field after a catch during the first half of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 07, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

WR Contracts, Led By Jefferson, Have Risen

The problem the Niners are navigating now is the price for receivers has shot up this offseason.

Justin Jefferson signed a deal that pays $35 million per season.

A.J. Brown signed a deal that pays $32 million per season on average.

Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a deal that pays slightly over $30 million per season on average. That deal is the one that Aiyuk's camp is apparently setting sights on.

And Jaylen Waddle signed a deal that pays $28.25 million per season on average.

The 49ers, meanwhile, understand that eventually they have to pay quarterback Brock Purdy and used the first round pick in the 2024 draft to select Florida's Ricky Pearsall.

So while Aiyuk has been key to the team's success in the past, it is possible the club might come to see him as too expensive to keep going forward.