Should Brandon Aiyuk Ditch Trade Request, Stay With 49ers?

Brandon Aiyuk certainly appears to want out of San Francisco, and it’s starting to seem like the 49ers are preparing to play the 2024 season without the star wide receiver.

At this point, maintaining the marriage probably would be difficult. But should the sides put in the effort to find a way to stick together for the upcoming campaign?

It’s a scenario George Balekji floated on the latest episode of NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast. For the Niners, there’s obviously a tremendous benefit to keeping Aiyuk for the duration of his contract. Even though John Lynch and company likely could fetch a nice haul in a trade for the 26-year-old, Aiyuk undoubtedly would help San Francisco’s quest for its ultimate goal: winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl in three decades.

A commitment for this season and this season only obviously would be riskier on Aiyuk’s side. A serious injury could prevent the 2020 first-round pick from receiving a life-changing contract. But if Aiyuk plays out his option year and once again puts up All-Pro-caliber numbers, he would put himself in position to break the bank in free agency next offseason.

Again, an Aiyuk trade feels like the most likely outcome at this stage in the game. But as Balekji explained in the “Foxboro Rush” segment above, burying the hatchet — even temporarily — probably should be something all parties involved consider.