An NFL insider has revealed insight into the current situation regarding San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
The 2023 second-team All-Pro reportedly requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week.
Aiyuk has surpassed 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons and will be a free agent next season.
He will earn $14 million in 2024 in a fifth-year option exercised by the team.
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio appeared on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show and discussed how Aiyuk and the 49ers got into their predicament.
Florio revealed that Aiyuk’s agent was given permission to explore other teams’ interests ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft when contract negotiations with the 49ers broke down.
“They told me there were five teams that were ready to give him what he wanted that the 49ers wouldn’t give him,” Florio said.
“But they were unable to reach an agreement with the 49ers for a trade. And from the 49ers’ perspective, this is where things get a little complicated.
“You have five other teams that were willing to pay him what he wants and give you something to get him. Why don’t you just pay him what he wants?”
Florio also revealed that Aiyuk did not request a trade before April’s draft.
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But the 26-year-old is fed up with San Francisco’s reluctance to hand him a contract that matches his asking price.
“So he’s taken a stand now,” Florio said.
“He asked to be traded.
“Let’s see if he shows up at camp.”
It was reported in May by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Aiyuk’s “benchmark” for his next contract was Detroit Lions Amon-Ra St. Brown’s four-year, $120 million contract, which pays him a annual average of US$ 28 million per year.
On June 6, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver reported that the 49ers’ last offer at the time for Aiyuk was $26 million per season.
It appears little to no progress has been made between Aiyuk and the 49ers since the two “had a good meeting” late last month.
Last season, Aiyuk recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
He led the team in receiving yards for the second consecutive season.
Aiyuk is unlikely to report to San Francisco’s training camp, which begins next Tuesday.
The 49ers are coming off an overtime Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in February.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story