San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been rumored to be on the trade block since free agency began, and a recent viral video he posted has sparked the rumors back up once again.
What did ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter have to say about the possibility of Aiyuk being moved?
Adam Schefter Shuts Down Possibility of 49ers Trading Brandon Aiyuk
With Aiyuk trade rumors swirling once again, Schefter appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he shut down the possibility of anything happening.
"The 49ers absolutely do want Brandon Aiyuk back but not at the price he's seeking..
They have always wanted him back and they were never serious about trading him..
They're trying to win a Super Bowl they're not looking to move on from him" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/qkDaBc0ZJp
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 21, 2024
“Let me say, for the record, the 49ers absolutely do want Brandon Aiyuk back, but not at the price he’s seeking,” said Schefter. “That’s where the breakdown occurs at this point in time. They’ve had contract talks throughout the offseason, and at one point, it seemed like they were closing in on a deal, only to see the wide receiver market explode.”
Some of the receivers who have since received major deals include Jaylen Waddle (three years, $84.75 million) and Justin Jefferson (four years, $140 million).
“I think once some of these wide receiver deals started getting done … I think the number might have shifted in Brandon Aiyuk’s mind,” said Schefter. “The Niners have always wanted him back. There have been conversations at various different points with other teams where they asked if he was available. The Niners were never serious about trading him, and they want him back.”
“This is a team that’s trying to win a Super Bowl. They’re not trying to move on from Brandon Aiyuk,” Schefter later said.
Aiyuk’s Viral Video Spurred More Trade Speculation
All of the trade speculation that had died down really came back when Aiyuk posted a video to his TikTok on a video call with former teammate and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Brandon Aiyuk to the Washington Commanders to play with his best friend Jayden Daniels would hit like RAY LEWIS IN HIS PRIME.
“They say they don’t want me back.”
Via Brandon Aiyuk’s TikTok pic.twitter.com/cboVS7k76o
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 17, 2024
It all starts with Aiyuk filmed sitting on a couch while on FaceTime with former Arizona State teammate and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“What happened, bro?” asks Daniels before Aiyuk responds, “They said they don’t want me back … I swear.”
From there, Daniels smiles and laughs before yelling, “My boy!”
Aiyuk’s Future in San Francisco
While the trade rumors certainly won’t stop, it’s unlikely Aiyuk actually gets moved.
Selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk is under contract for one last season after receiving the fifth-year option. He will be a free agent after the 2024 season concludes.
Aiyuk could hold out in an attempt at a new contract, but eventually, that would cost him money. Similar to what is ongoing with Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals, Aiyuk and the 49ers could go through this season and part ways next year.
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Another possibility is a new contract happening. It looks rough right now, but the two sides could come together at any point in time and agree to a deal. If Aiyuk’s expectations lower or the 49ers’ limit increases, something could happen fast.
Finally, the 49ers could force Aiyuk to stick around for 2025, too. With each team holding a franchise tag, the 49ers could tag Aiyuk next offseason if he doesn’t want to re-sign on an extension before he hits free agency. That would likely result in a holdout and more drama, though, similar to Higgins.