Will Brandon Aiyuk Request a Trade From the 49ers?
Two trade scenarios have been linked to All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
First it was to the Jacksonville Jaguars, then it was most recently to the Pittsburgh Steelers. These trade scenarios are going to continue throughout the entire offseason. An extension for Aiyuk will not arrive until July or August. Until then, Aiyuk will continue to be involved in reported or rumored trade packages.
But with all of this talk of a trade, it makes you wonder if it will actually become reality. Two years ago, Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the 49ers during the negotiations for his contract extension. This is what wide receivers do because they are the most dramatic players on an entire team.
Now, Samuel ultimately didn't get traded, but it was around this time two years ago where he requested it. And the New York Jets did have an offer on the table for the 49ers entering the 2022 NFL draft. You have to wonder if Aiyuk will follow the same path. He's already caused a stir on social media this week, so it is fathomable for him to do so in order to ruffle feathers.
Will Aiyuk request a trade from the 49ers?
I don't see it. Aiyuk saw firsthand how it worked out with Samuel two years ago. Requesting a trade in order to expedite negotiations for a contract extension does nothing. Neither does social media gimmicks. I think all of the hoopla that is being made with Aiyuk's recent social media activity is being overblown.
Rather, I think he is intentionally doing it for fun. There is zero correlation to a trade from it. However, where I could see Aiyuk request a trade is if he and the 49ers are completely far apart on the value of a deal. Or if the 49ers outright don't see any way that will pay Aiyuk top dollar as a wide receiver.
It is possible that Aiyuk could be looking at values that are similar to CeeDee Lamb or even Justin Jefferson. That is just how it works on the business aspect where players at the same position are looking to one up the last deal. And if he is dead set on beating those contracts, then I doubt the 49ers will want to agree to it.
That is when a trade request could happen for Aiyuk. Should Aiyuk seek that out, then I would expect it to happen anytime before the upcoming NFL draft. A trade is the most likely to occur when the 49ers can receive draft capital for this draft than the next, and Aiyuk will want to get on a team by then.
For now, I don't see a trade request from him happening anytime soon.
