The San Francisco 49ers are making it clear to those speculating about alternative destinations for their disgruntled wide receiver: they "do not intend" to trade Brandon Aiyuk. This comes from a report by ESPN insider Adam Schefter, who is hearing that the Bay Area team remains determined to keep Aiyuk despite the star player's recent trade request.
Aiyuk is frustrated by the lack of progress in negotiations for a contract extension. While the 49ers have reportedly extended an offer that would pay the receiver $26 million annually, Aiyuk likely seeks a figure closer to $30 million per year, similar to the recent four-year, $120 million contract signed by Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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"The 49ers do not want to and do not intend to trade Brandon Aiyuk, despite the fact that he has asked the team officially to move on from him," Schefter said Wednesday on ESPN's NFL Live. "And really, what this comes down to is, there is a disagreement on his value.
"The wide receiver market this offseason has shifted in front of everybody's eyes. If you look at all the wide receiver deals that have gotten done and the average annual salaries paid to wide receivers, you will see that the number has grown very much and very quickly to the point where what the Niners are offering Brandon Aiyuk isn't in there."
Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings recently reset the market, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback with his new $35 million annual salary. Three other wideouts have contracts paying at least $30 million annually, including St. Brown.
"So the idea here is, where do you slot in Brandon Aiyuk on this chart?" Schefter continued. "And I think all these receivers, in the Niners' minds, would be north of what Brandon Aiyuk should be paid right now."
Schefter notes that Aiyuk is under contract and is set to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option in 2024. This, paired with the franchise tag in future years, provides the 49ers with significant leverage in their negotiations.
"And so they have his contractual rights for at least this season and more if they opt to use it that way," Schefter concluded.
"The 49ers do not want to and do not intend to trade Brandon Aiyuk despite the fact that he has asked the team officially to move on from him."@AdamSchefter gives us the latest on Aiyuk's contract negotiations with San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/mg7xZ7c0eM
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