49ers general manager John Lynch has once again emphasized his desire to retain wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for the foreseeable future.
“Our wish is he’s here and part of the Niners for the rest of his career,” Lynch said in a pre-draft press conference on Monday. “We’re focused on B.A. being part of us.”
Aiyuk has not attended voluntary workouts, and Lynch acknowledged that other teams have inquired about his availability. However, the 49ers are not expecting to trade Aiyuk this week.
The timing of future contract negotiations with Aiyuk remains uncertain. The 25-year-old was named second-team All-Pro in 2023 and is set to earn $14.1 million in 2024, the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. He is eligible for free agency next March.
The 49ers traded up to select Aiyuk 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the past two seasons, he has amassed 15 touchdowns. In 2023, he recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
San Francisco has made substantial financial investments in key offensive players, including wide receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle. A significant contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy is also on the horizon, with projections indicating he could earn more than $50 million per year based on the current NFL quarterback market.
These financial commitments raise questions about whether the 49ers may need to consider trading one of their offensive stars, potentially including Aiyuk, to maintain financial flexibility. Samuel is slated to earn $20.97 million in 2024, while Kittle’s base salary is expected to rise from $1.080 million last season to over $13 million.
