San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has stated that he does not expect receiver Brandon Aiyuk to be traded this week, but he did leave the door open for a potential deal. According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, a trade can’t be ruled out, but the best time for a deal would be when the pick the 49ers are acquiring is on the clock, giving them control of the draft board.
Silver reports that the 49ers have requested a first-round pick in exchange for Aiyuk and that his new team would need to offer a contract that the 49ers have not provided him thus far. The 49ers have established a value for Aiyuk based on their four years working with him, and a new team would need to be willing to offer more along with compensation to secure the deal.
Another consideration is the impact of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan on Aiyuk’s performance and the presence of other talented players on the San Francisco offense. It raises questions about whether Aiyuk would thrive in a different environment with a new coach and teammates. This situation may prompt Aiyuk to consider re-signing with the 49ers as his best option.
The ideal scenario would involve a team like the Steelers offering enough to satisfy both Aiyuk and the 49ers, leading to a successful trade. The potential trade deal brings to light various factors that could influence Aiyuk’s decision regarding his future with the team.