Star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers is seeking a contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position in the NFL.
The former first-round pick from Arizona State is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign that saw him record 75 receptions for 1,352 yards and seven touchdowns for the defending NFC Champions.
Aiyuk, 25, is also set to hit the final year of his rookie contract and is due a base salary of $14.1 million. This would make him the 24th highest-paid receiver in the NFL on a per-year basis without the future guarantees of a long-term contract.
It had led to some trade rumors earlier in the offseason, something that was shot down more recently.
We now have some more information on this via two sources. Don’t be surprised if talk of the 49ers trading their star receiver heats up as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches.
Jaguars reporter Mia O’Brien of their flagship station 1010 AM in Jacksonville reports that there is mutual interest between Aiyuk and the Jaguars about a potential trade.
This is interesting in that San Francisco would have had to give Aiyuk permission to seek a trade if there were “mutual interest” between the wide receiver and the powers that be in Jacksonville.
Meanwhile, Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle had a tidibit on Aiyuk’s contract situation with the 49ers in his most-recent column.
“The Niners could be headed for a messy contract staredown with second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is currently slated to play on his rookie deal’s fifth-year option and wants a lucrative extension,” Silver noted. “This year’s draft is considered receiver-rich, meaning there might be an inflection point in late April, especially if Aiyuk, like teammate Deebo Samuel two years ago, requests a trade.”
Related: NFL trade rumors, including Brandon Aiyuk
Market dynamics and a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade
The four-year, $92 million contract a lesser receiver in Calvin Ridley signed with the Tennessee Titans during NFL free agency certainly changes the dynamics here. He received $23 million per season and nearly $47 million in fully-guaranteed cash.
Tennessee’s potential overpay of Ridley notwithstanding, the market is going to dictate what Aiyuk and his team over at Athletes First demand in an extension. He’s now likely looking at upwards of $28 million per season with $70 million in guarantees. This would put Aiyuk in Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams company.
The 49ers have been willing to sign their stars to contract extensions over the past few offseasons. Add in the blockbuster acquisition of running back Christian McCaffrey back in 2022, and they are paying skill-position talent a ton on a per-year basis.
- Christian McCaffrey, running back: $16.2 million
- George Kittle, tight end: $15 million
- Deebo Samuel, wide receiver: $23.85 million
Even with quarterback Brock Purdy playing under his rookie deal, the idea of adding another “highest-paid” player in the league at a skill position is questionable.
None of that takes into account left tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner being among the highest-paid at their respective positions in the NFL.
- Brandon Aiyuk career stats: 269 receptions, 3,931 yards, 25 TD
As for a potential trade, any inquiring team would have to offer up a first-round pick and change for San Francisco to even consider it. The team is in win-now mode. Moving Aiyuk for anything less just doesn’t make sense.
Jacksonville boasts the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It would also likely have to offer up the 96th selection to make this worth the 49ers’ while.
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft
The Chicago Bears (9th), New York Jets (10th) and Las Vegas Raiders (13th) are all in need of receiver help. Each one could offer up that first-round pick.
Things are complicated. As Silver notes, the 2024 NFL Draft class is seen as deep at wide receiver. The idea of a team ponying up a lot while making Aiyuk one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL is questionable.
In turn, the 49ers could call his bluff. They were an overtime loss away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February. Any trade of the star receiver would not make this team any better in 2024. That’s for sure.