Eric Williams
NFC West Writer
[Editor’s note: Aiyuk reportedly requested a trade from the 49ers, NFL Media reported, but the team isn’t planning to move him ahead of the season, ESPN reported.]
Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers are at a crossroads.
The disgruntled wide receiver reportedly met with head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch this week. Aiyuk’s representatives and the 49ers appear to be at an impasse as they try to negotiate a long-term contract extension.
Aiyuk, 26, is in the final year of his rookie deal that will pay him $14.1 million for the upcoming season. He wants to be paid among the top receivers in the league, who now make in the range of $30 million annually.
However, the 49ers already have receiver Deebo Samuel under contract for two more years on a three-year, $73.5 million deal. This offseason, San Francisco signed Christian McCaffrey to a new contract that makes him the highest-paid running back in the league. The Niners also have lucrative long-term deals with Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Javon Hargrave, Fred Warner and George Kittle. And after the 2024 season, Brock Purdy will be eligible for a new contract that will make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Even with San Francisco chasing a Super Bowl, Aiyuk could be too expensive to keep beyond 2024. To protect themselves at the position, the 49ers signed No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings to a two-year, $15.4 million deal and drafted receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in April.
Lynch said in early May that the Niners were “past” entertaining trade offers for Aiyuk and Samuel. But if negotiations go sour with Aiyuk and San Francisco is willing to move on at some point this summer, here are five teams that make sense in a trade.
Sauce Gardner wants Brandon Aiyuk to play for Craig Carton’s Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need veteran receiver help and have shown interest in a…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/49ers-brandon-aiyuk-trade-destinations-steelers-commanders-top-list
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Publish date : 2024-07-16 18:57:55
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