Brandon Aiyuk's offseason of contractual discontent has reached a crossroads.
The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has requested a trade, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday.
Aiyuk's request comes after an offseason filled with unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement on an extension with the 49ers, who have been unwilling to engage in negotiations since May, per Garafolo.
A 2020 NFL Draft first-round pick who is set to earn 14.124 million in the final year of his rookie contract, decided to ask for a trade after a recent meeting failed to produce any movement, Garafolo added.
The 26-year-old's request follows a career-best 2023 season in which he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, demonstrating an uncanny rapport with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy within a San Francisco offense loaded with talent. The 49ers went ahead and extended a couple of his teammates, signing Christian McCaffrey to a record-setting two-year, $38 million extension, and keeping receiver Jauan Jennings on a one-year deal worth up to $15.4 million.
Aiyuk's contract, however, went unaddressed, fueling an uncomfortable offseason in which the receiver went as far as publicly listing other teams (Washington, Pittsburgh) he could see himself joining if things didn't work out with the 49ers.
Aiyuk skipped the 49ers' mandatory minicamp while seeking a long-term deal, which incurred a fine. With two straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and a contract year fast approaching, it appears Aiyuk's patience has run out.
