Frustrated by the lack of progress in contract talks, Aiyuk formally requested a trade last week, sending a strong message to the 49ers: if they don't intend to pay him, they should send him to a team that will.
Heading into the draft, there was significant speculation that the 49ers might trade Aiyuk or teammate Deebo Samuel. That speculation persisted after the draft, as both wide receivers remained on the roster.
Trading either player now makes little sense for San Francisco, given their championship-caliber roster and the ability to afford both players for the upcoming season. Losing either would diminish their chances of finally winning a Super Bowl.
"If you're the 49ers, why would you trade Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, either one, for draft pick compensation in 2025 when you're trying to win a Super Bowl now? It makes no sense," ESPN insider Adam Schefter declared on the Pat McAfee Show. "Not only that, you could trade Deebo after the year if you want, and you'd have his services this year. Aiyuk, you could franchise tag him after this year if you want to, and they still want to work out a long-term deal.
"Now, again, my guess would be that Aiyuk, I'm guessing here, doesn't show up to training camp, not there, and tries to force the issue here. And then we see if the two sides can work out a deal or whether he wants to continue to be difficult with them."
Aiyuk skipped the 49ers' mandatory minicamp last month, subjecting himself to approximately $100,000 in fines. While skipping training camp would add to those fines, it would send another strong message that he has no intention of playing on the fifth-year option.
Schefter notes that Aiyuk and general manager John Lynch share the same agent, which adds an interesting dynamic to this negotiation process. Ultimately, the 49ers would prefer to keep this core of playmakers together for a shot at redemption following February's Super Bowl defeat.
"I think they want to find a way to keep all these guys for this season, and then we'll see what happens after the year," Schefter added. "But obviously, it's not going to be simple, and they know there are issues and obstacles in front of them that they're going to have to try to figure out a way to get done here. I don't know how it's going to work out yet."
More San Francisco 49ers News
Schefter: 49ers gave Brandon Aiyuk an ultimatum during contract standoff Jerry Rice weighs in on Brandon Aiyuk's missed opportunity during 49ers-Jets Why Brock Purdy isn't concerned about chemistry with Brandon Aiyuk, others ahead of 49ers vs. Jets Why Brandon Aiyuk was afraid to review the 49ers-Jets film