NFL Rumors: Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers Have a ‘Disagreement on His Value’ amid Trade Buzz

The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remain at a stalemate over his next contract’s value, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“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 NFL Live. “And really what this comes down to is, there is a disagreement on his value.”

Schefter speculated that San Francisco might internally value Aiyuk below what Jaylen Waddle is earning from the Miami Dolphins. Waddle ranks fifth among wide receivers with a $28.3 million average salary.

Aiyuk is in the last year of his rookie deal after the 49ers picked up his $14.1 million option, and his contract status has been a lingering storyline throughout the offseason.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that the 26-year-old has made a formal trade request, adding that San Francisco hasn’t “been willing to engage in negotiations since May.” Schefter quickly followed up, reporting that the 49ers made it clear to potential suitors they have “no intention” of moving Aiyuk.

This situation presents a challenge for the 49ers. Trading Aiyuk now would likely yield draft capital that won’t be useful until at least 2025. Losing such a talented player without a suitable replacement isn’t feasible for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. However, the absence of a new contract risks increasing Aiyuk’s discontent.

Aiyuk, a 2020 first-round pick, understandably wants to capitalize on the rising market for receivers. This offseason, Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown, and Justin Jefferson have each become the highest-paid receiver at some point, with Jefferson leading with a $35 million average salary.

San Francisco’s stance on Aiyuk’s value, as described by Schefter, might not be unfair based on his production to date. Aiyuk has just one 1,000-yard season and has yet to be selected for a Pro Bowl, though he earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2023. In comparison, Jefferson, Brown, St. Brown, and Waddle all have multiple Pro Bowl selections, multiple 1,000-yard seasons, or both.

The optimal outcome for Aiyuk would be for the 49ers to meet his asking price before the start of the regular season. Playing out the year on his current salary and delivering his best performance yet would at least strengthen his position for a significant raise.