San Francisco 49ers have received trade calls for star wide receiver, deal unlikely
The defending NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers have some major decisions to make as the offseason continues.
One, apparently, has already been made. Speaking to the media from the site of the NFL owners meetings in Arizona on Monday, 49ers general manager John Lynch indicated that they’ll pick up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract for the 2024 season.
This is in no way a surprise. A first-round pick of the 49ers back in 2020, Aiyuk is coming off a breakout 2022 campaign for San Francisco. He recorded 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns while hauling in 68% of his targets.
If exercised, the 2024 option on Aiyuk’s rookie deal will cost $14.1 million. According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, this has led to teams actually calling San Francisco up about trading for the star young receiver. At this point, San Francisco has no real interest in moving Aiyuk.
Coming off two consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances, it makes very little sense for San Francisco to move off one of its most-important weapons. However, there is certainly a question about whether the 49ers can afford to sign Aiyuk long-term.
