Matt Burrows, David Lombardi, Larry Holder
One week later Request a trade In a contract dispute, San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk He has reported to training camp, a source familiar with the situation said.
Aiyuk is in the final year of his five-year rookie contract and is seeking a long-term extension this offseason. General manager John Lynch said Tuesday that “nothing is off the table” about a possible Aiyuk trade but stressed that the 49ers “intend to keep Brandon with the ’90s.”
“Brandon is a valuable member of our team and we expect that to continue this year,” Lynch said. Asked if he expected Aiyuk to practice, Lynch said, “We expect all of our players to practice.”
Aiyuk, 26, entered the 2023 season with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns during his four-year career with San Francisco. Aiyuk He recorded 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Going deeper
49ers have three options following Brandon Aiyuk’s trade request
Aiyuk, the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is looking to improve his game in 2022. Brock Purdy He has developed into one of the league’s best quarterbacks, and Aiyuk surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in 2022 with 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.
Aiyuk He is a key part of an impressive skill position core. Christian McCaffreyDeebo Samuel and George KittleBut the 49ers drafted a wideout. Ricky Piersol As a first-round pick in this year’s draft, Aiyuk’s future is unclear beyond the 2024 season. Aiyuk currently has a salary cap hit of $14.1 million heading into this season.
Another difficult contract negotiation for the 49ers
The 49ers have been through some difficult contract negotiations in recent years. Nick Bosafor example, It lasted until the first match week At the end of the regular season, Lynch noted Aiyuk’s contract situation was tougher than other teams’, and in anticipation of that difficulty, the 49ers began contract negotiations earlier than normal, but despite what Lynch described as “great communication from start to finish,” they still don’t appear to be any closer to a resolution.
“This was a difficult one,” he said of the meeting.
Aiyuk has reported to training camp along with his teammates, but it remains unclear if he will practice this week. Matt Burrows, 49ers senior writer
San Francisco is focused on Super Bowl appearances
Throughout these difficult negotiations, 49ers management has remained consistent: Lynch and Shanahan have never outright ruled out Aiyuk moving, but they have repeatedly stressed that he is an integral part of the team and therefore likely to stay.
All is well. The 49ers are Super Bowl favorites and have no incentive to part ways with a highly talented player, given the immense pressure they’ll be under to win this season. David Lombardi, 49ers reporter
Pearsall injury update
49ers receiver Piersall, who will not practice this week, will start training camp on the non-football injured list after straining his hamstring outside the facility. Lynch said the injury does not appear to be serious. Piersall is not expected to participate in the first four practices. Sunday is an off day for players, so he is hopeful he will be available on Monday. Piersall did well in multiple practices during spring training in May and June in Aiyuk’s absence. He already appears to be building a rapport with Purdy.
Piersall will start camp with NFI, but linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles heel), safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) and defensive end Drake Jackson (Knee) will start on the PUP list, meaning other players who missed games in the spring will practice this summer. Those on the list include cornerback Kittle, who is back up to 243 pounds after dropping to 214 pounds after surgery; Charvarius Ward (core), center Jake Brendel (knee) and tight end Cameron Latu (knees). – Burrows
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