NFL Rumors: 49ers Would Trade Brandon Aiyuk Only If Offer ‘Was Too Good to Refuse’

Adam WellsMay 1, 2024

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Amid all of the speculation about Brandon Aiyuk’s future, it doesn’t sound like the San Francisco 49ers have been actively shopping the star wide receiver this offseason.

Per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, the 49ers would only consider dealing Aiyuk if they “got an offer that was too good to refuse.”

According to Wagoner, the type of offer San Francisco would deem too good to refuse was one that would have put them in position to get one of the top three receivers—Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze—in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported prior to the start of the first round that San Francisco had conversations with multiple teams, including one that had a top-10 pick, about a potential deal for either Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the team’s “plan right now would be to hold onto all those wide receivers.”

Nothing ultimately came of those discussions, as the 49ers kept both of their receivers and stayed at their original spot in the first round. They added more intrigue to the possibility of a trade by selecting Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall with the 31st pick.

It was assumed by other teams that Samuel would be more likely than Aiyuk to be dealt after the first round ended, in part because of the return San Francisco wanted for Aiyuk.

Michael Silver @MikeSilverBased on my conversations with other teams, the 49ers are now more likely to deal Deebo Samuel than they are Brandon Aiyuk. Stay tuned.

Now that the draft has passed with neither player being moved, Wagoner noted signs are point toward Aiyuk and Samuel being in San Francisco for the 2024 season.

General manager John Lynch has been open that the 49ers have had “good talks” with Aiyuk’s camp about a long-term extension, adding they hope he is with the team “for the rest of his career.”

Aiyuk is entering the final season of his rookie contract that will pay him $14.1 million. The market for receivers has shifted already this offseason with A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million) signing extensions that made them the two highest-paid players at the position by average annual salary.

The 26-year-old Aiyuk has increased his receiving output every season of his NFL career. He finished the 2023 campaign with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games to help the 49ers win the NFC West for the second straight year.