There will be more news regarding Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, who has been publicly desiring a contract extension prior to the start of his fifth NFL season, went a step further Tuesday, officially asking the San Francisco 49ers to trade him.
He is a great wide receiver and would instantly improve rookie Jayden Daniels’s performance on the field. He would be the best receiver on Washington’s team. Teamed with Terry McLaurin, the duo would quickly be a much better threat for the Commanders’ offense.
Another plus for the Commanders is that Aiyuk had a prior relationship with Daniels when the two played together at Arizona State. The two have maintained their friendship, though Daniels transferred to LSU.
However, he clearly was using his friendship with Daniels as a negotiating ploy against the 49ers. Even more, Aiyuk then placed on social media a photo displaying both the offensive and defensive alignment for the Commanders from a recent workout.
But the 49ers won the NFC last year and took the Kansas City Chiefs to overtime in the Super Bowl. Aiyuk was the No.1 receiver for the 49ers last year. So, why would they simply trade Aiyuk?
A first-round choice in 2020 (25 overall), Aiyuk is set to make much more this season, under the NFL’s fifth-year team option policy. Aiyuk, 26, will haul in a cool $14.124 million.
But Aiyuk doesn’t want that raise. He wants an entirely new deal negotiated and signed before this season. What hasn’t helped the 49ers and Aiyuk to settle on a deal thus far is new contracts to wide receivers have been outrageous!
Justin Jefferson will now receive $88 million in guaranteed money from the Vikings in a deal that averages $35 million over the next five years. The Eagles and A.J. Brown agreed to a deal that averages $32 million. Amon-Ra St Brown and the Lions are joined together in a deal averaging $30 million, as are the Dolphins and Tyreek Hill.
Aiyuk would rather remain with the 49ers and contend for this year’s Super Bowl title than come to Washington and probably play for a team under .500.
The 49ers will most likely offer less than the four top receivers mentioned above. Yet, seeing that it will be much better money than he was set to make this year, Aiyuk will likely agree to a deal.