Brandon Aiyuk isn't going anywhere, according to this latest report

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers will be working on a new extension in the not-so-distant future.

The San Francisco 49ers know just how valuable wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is to their offensive plans.

Not only is the 2020 first-round NFL Draft pick the team's leading receiver over the last two seasons, but he is also a preferred target for quarterback Brock Purdy, and the two's chemistry is undeniable.

As such, it'd be wise for general manager John Lynch and the Niners to lock Aiyuk up for the long run.

Entering the fully guaranteed fifth-year option of his current contract, Aiyuk is up for a contract extension and is at the point where San Francisco typically likes to negotiate such deals with its cornerstone players.

There was understandably some nervousness in the wake of the 49ers' Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that discussions with Aiyuk would come to an impasse, and the two sides wouldn't be able to reach a long-term goal of an extension that meets both sides' expectations. Some close to Aiyuk hinted that he might not stick with the Niners any longer, which didn't ease whatever tensions were present. And the media bought into some of that, too.

However, according to the latest rumors and reports, Aiyuk is probably not going to be leaving San Francisco anytime soon.

Ian Rapoport: 49ers will 'get to work on a new deal' for Brandon Aiyuk

Speaking from the NFL Combine, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area) is funneling the notion that the 49ers aren't going to let Aiyuk walk in a year's time when his contract expires, nor are they going to trade him off because of failed extension negotiations.

"My understanding is obviously there are teams who would love to trade for the very, very talented young receiver," Rapoport said. "The 49ers firmly believe he is in their plans; I would expect them to get to work on a new deal for him, probably after free agency."

Waiting until after the beginning of free agency, which kicks off on March 13 with the start of the league new year, makes plenty of sense for Lynch and Co. The Niners will have a much better idea of how much money they'll have to spend after that first wave of free agency, and they'll be able to better budget Aiyuk's extension into their financials for 2024, 2025 and beyond.

Sure, there is a chance those discussions break down, and Aiyuk could ultimately demand a trade if San Francisco has no reasonable means to meet his contractual demands.

But, given this latest report, it seems as if that'd be a worst-case scenario only, and the likelihood is that Aiyuk won't be leaving the 49ers for a very long time.

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