No, 49ers won't trade Brandon Aiyuk this season, unless...

Amid a contract dispute, the 49ers still won't want to trade Brandon Aiyuk between now and the deadline. Unless this one scenario pans out.

Right up to the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, rumors circulated about the San Francisco 49ers entertaining trade offers for star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Yet those dissipated as soon as Round 1 was in the books, capped off by the Niners using the 31st overall pick on Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

But Aiyuk, who is seeking a new market-value contract after leading San Francisco in receiving yards the last two seasons, continues to be an absentee from his team's offseason workout programs, and it's likely he won't show up until an extension is made official.

Perhaps one that pays him $30 million per season.

Already chock full of highly compensated stars, the 49ers might have the financial luxury of paying Aiyuk while also having fellow wideouts like Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings signed through 2025.

So, while talk of trading Aiyuk has diminished, it hasn't gone away entirely.

Would the Niners actually trade Aiyuk, though?

The lone scenario where 49ers actually trade Brandon Aiyuk this season

It's important to note Aiyuk is still under contract through 2024, playing on the fully guaranteed fifth-year option as part of the rookie deal signed after San Francisco drafted him in Round 1 back in 2020.

Talks can stall, yes. But Aiyuk is still very much part of the team for now.

The 49ers have no interest whatsoever in trading Aiyuk, currently. As a top Super Bowl contender, parting ways with him right now would seriously hinder their chances to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this February, and there would be no immediate returns on an Aiyuk trade that would assist the Niners with those prospects.

However...

Not trading Aiyuk in 2024 is based on the assumption that San Francisco will be in the thick of a Super Bowl hunt between now and the NFL trade deadline this November. All signs point to the 49ers being the main contender within the NFC.

But, as fans can recall from that dreadful and injury-plagued 2020 season, which followed another Niners Super Bowl loss the previous year, things don't always go according to plan and predictions.

While it seems unlikely, there is the possibility of 2024 turning into a dreadful year for San Francisco. Another rash of injuries could strike head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad, general underachievement across the board could derail the 49ers' chances and any given number of X-factors could work their way against the red and gold this season.

If the Niners haven't reached an agreement with Aiyuk prior to Week 1, then watch as the regular season goes sour in a hurry, they may ultimately opt to be sellers at the deadline.

And that could spell the end of Aiyuk's tenure with San Francisco.

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