49ers won't honor Brandon Aiyuk's trade request (and here's why)
By Ryan Heckman
![San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4007,h_2253,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/42/01j2ye2k0y35j8xazcsw.jpg)
it was just a regular, old Tuesday morning for San Francisco 49ers fans, until it wasn't.
Star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk made it known that he officially wants out, requesting a trade out of San Francisco and, for the moment, raising eyebrows of fans everywhere.
But, when it's all said and done, does the fan base have anything substantial to worry about? Would the Niners really trade Aiyuk? Maybe, if the right price came along, but it's doubtful.
All in all, there are far more reasons to believe why Aiyuk is going to stick around and why the 49ers will ultimately disregard his trade request.
Brandon Aiyuk has a good thing going with the 49ers, but that's not the only reason he'll stay
Obviously, Aiyuk wants to get paid. But, if you look at the facts, it's highly unlikely he's going to be dealt. First off, he's in a winning environment on a team that has an ascending quarterback on a rookie contract, arguably the best running back in the game, an elite tight end, another elite playmaker in Deebo Samuel and a defense that remains one of the best in the league.
If Aiyuk wants to win a Super Bowl, there aren't many places he could go and have a better shot.
Also, speaking of Samuel, the 49ers have already gone through this situation with Deebo, as Mike Garafolo pointed out below. There's no reason to believe San Francisco can't do it once more, this time with Aiyuk.
Brandon Aiyuk is under contract for a little more than $14 million this season. The #49ers survived a trade request from Deebo Samuel. We’ll see if they can find their way through this one from Aiyuk. https://t.co/jKpRuBqOkJ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 16, 2024
Also speaking of Samuel, his contract is up after the 2025 season. There is no guarantee Ricky Pearsall will be able to step into an elite role left by Samuel, nor Aiyuk for that matter. The 49ers know exactly what they have in number 11, and locking him down for years to come should be the ultimate priority, especially knowing Deebo's contract is up in the near future.
Another tidbit on Deebo, and it may or may not matter all that much: Samuel has endured his share of injuries, and if the 49ers wanted to cut him in 2025 for any reason, they'd save $9 million in doing so. Again, seeing the team cut Deebo is tough to imagine, barring a ridiculous breakout by Pearsall and being financially-strapped next year. But, it's worth mentioning. In short, the Niners know what they have in Aiyuk. Don't believe otherwise.
For now, there is reason enough to believe that Aiyuk does, indeed, want to be in San Francisco and make another Super Bowl run. A trade request is simply his last-ditch effort and a major call for the team's utmost attention.
Don't be surprised if the two sides come to an agreement on a deal in the near future.
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