Adam Schefter: 49ers were ‘never serious’ about trading Brandon Aiyuk this offseason

Jun 23, 2024, 6:00 AM

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the locker room prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

(Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

With the 2024 NFL offseason currently in the dog days of summer, the rumors swirling around Brandon Aiyuk have heated up. But rest assured, Adam Schefter is here to axe any trade speculation at this time.

The ESPN news-breaker went on The Pat McAfee Show Friday to ducsss various NFL topics, one of thdoer being the status of Brandon Aiyuk. The San 49ers star wide receiver is currently holding out for a massive contract extension, with negotiations reportedly stalling out. In turn, that’s lead to speculation of a trade on the horizon, especially with the player posting critic social media posts.

Schefter put some of those rumors to bed this week, stating adamantly that the 49ers do in fact want “BA” back.

.@adamschefter says the 49ers “absolutely do want Brandon Aiyuk back.”

“They want him here they just don’t want him at the number he wants to be there at.” 👀

(🎥: @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/aqoEbRF9i5

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 21, 2024

“Let me state for the record that the 49ers absolutely do want Brandon Aiyuk back, despite what he says. But they don’t want him back as he thinks, at the price that he’s seeking. And so, that’s where the breakdown occurs at this point in time,” Schefter told McAfee & his viewers Friday.

Schefter would go to state that the 49ers and Aiyuk were close to a done deal some time ago, but then the wide receiver market exploded. Counterparts such as Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith and Amon-Ra St. Brown commanded deals near the $30 million mark over multiple years.

Of course, Aiyuk would like to receive a deal at similar numbers. But as of now, the 49ers have been unwilling to meet him at his price, hence the standoff.

Regardless of the holdout, SF has maintained their interest in keeping Brandon Aiyuk long-term, turning down trade offers prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I think the number might have shifted in Brandon Aiyuk’s mind, but the Niners have always wanted him back,” Schefter added.

“There have been conversations at various points with other teams where they asked if he were available, the Niners never were serious about trading him, and they want him back, but the problem is they can’t get a deal done right now. So Brandon Aiyuk is interpreting that as ‘they don’t want me anymore’. No, they want him here, they just don’t want him at the number that he wants to be there at.”

“The 49ers absolutely do want Brandon Aiyuk back but not at the price he’s seeking..

They have always wanted him back and they were never serious about trading him..

They’re trying to win a Super Bowl they’re not looking to move on from him” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/qkDaBc0ZJp

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 21, 2024

More on 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk, 26, has been in a contract saga with the Red & Gold since the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Rocklin native posted career numbers last season, making his first All-Pro team. He also finished first in yards per catch (18.3) in the NFL.

The 49ers have a history of getting deals done leading into training camp (Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa). Will Aiyuk be the next star player to commit long-term to The Bay? Only time will tell.