In a recent interview, 49ers G.M. John Lynch was asked about the possibility of trading receiver Brandon Aiyuk this week. While Lynch stated that he wouldn’t anticipate a trade, this response did not completely rule out the possibility.
According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, a trade cannot be completely ruled out. The ideal time for a trade would be during the draft when the 49ers are acquiring a pick and have control over the board, preventing other teams from jumping in. Silver reports that the 49ers are seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Aiyuk, in addition to the new team needing to offer a contract that the 49ers have not presented to date.
It is important to note that the 49ers have established a value for Aiyuk based on their four years with him, and any new team would need to exceed this value to obtain him. Factors such as coach Kyle Shanahan’s influence on Aiyuk’s performance and the presence of talented players on the San Francisco offense could affect his success on another team.
If a potential trade were to occur, Aiyuk may realize that his best decision could be to remain with the 49ers. An enticing offer from a team like the Steelers could facilitate the trade and provide both parties with an opportunity for success.
