Tag: Brandon Aiyuk

Kendrick Bourne explains why Brandon Aiyuk fits in Patriots offense

Kendrick Bourne isn’t giving up on pitching for the Patriots to trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has been steadfast in his pursuit of former teammate and current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

He doubled down on his want for Aiyuk to join the New England Patriots in an interview with Boston.com’s Khari Thompson.

“I want [Brandon] Aiyuk. He’s my guy, and I think he’ll fit in,” said Bourne. “Just being a one-on-one receiver at X. He can take a whole half of the field and dominate and create a lot of attention for himself. That’s big in our offense, the X receiver?”

Aiyuk would undoubtedly give New England a top-tier receiver. He is coming off a season that saw him record 76 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. The price tag will reportedly be steep for him but it would give New England a true top weapon.

Bourne has been trying to recruit Aiyuk on social media over this past month, and he obviously isn’t abandoning those efforts. It remains to be seen if this move will actually come to fruition.

Nevertheless, it would be fun to see the receiver in a Patriots uniform

49ers may change contract negotiation tactics for Brandon Aiyuk

The 49ers have a typical timeline for contract negotiations. They may change that for Brandon Aiyuk.

49ers general manager John Lynch wasn’t interested in talking about the team’s ongoing contract negotiations with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Lynch opened his press conference by saying he wanted to focus on the draft, so naturally he was asked about the Aiyuk negotiations right away.

While the GM didn’t divulge much in the way of progress on the negotiations, he did offer some fascinating insight into how the team might change its typical contract negotiation timeline.

Under Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan the 49ers have done a nice job retaining their home-grown stars. Those long-term contracts typically come late in the offseason either right before camp or early in camp. For defensive end Nick Bosa it took until the week the season started. Doing it that way gave the team the maximum amount of time to negotiate a deal while also using soft deadlines like training camp start dates as leverage.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5375″ ]

Now it sounds like San Francisco could be rethinking that strategy after recent negotiations with Bosa and WR Deebo Samuel bled into camp and limited some of their preparations for the season.

“I think there is human nature is that deadlines force these things, but I think you can always learn from situations and you’d be a fool not to,” Lynch said. “I’d like to have our business tidied up a little. Those things, they ran the course they needed to. I’m proud of our record of getting the guys we want to get done, done. But I’m right there with everyone else. I’d sure like it to happen sooner.”

This could be genuine reflection from Lynch and an indication that the club believes dragging out negotiations is somehow damaging for players who have the contract lingering over them throughout the offseason. It might also be lip service since hoping a deal happens sooner than later has been a common theme for the 49ers during these types of negotiations.

Fans would certainly love to see the club shrink the timeline on such deals though. An offseason where Aiyuk speculation is ceased well before training camp would be boring, but a welcome reprieve from the standard turbulent offseason contract negotiations.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

 

John Lynch mum on Brandon Aiyuk contract talks

John Lynch didn’t want to say much about the Brandon Aiyuk contract negotiations. Mission accomplished!

49ers general manager John Lynch on Monday spoke with reporters ahead of the NFL draft which begins Thursday. Before taking questions Lynch addressed the sizable elephant in the room — the contract talks with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Lynch last spoke with reporters at the NFL owners meetings in March and didn’t have an Aiyuk update. Since then there have been rumors swirling, but nothing definitive from neither the 49ers nor Aiyuk’s camp. Lynch wanted to make clear early in his availability that he wouldn’t have any Aiyuk updates Monday.

”B. A. I’ve communicated on many occasions our wish,” Lynch said. “And our wish is that he’s here and part of the Niners for the rest of his career. We’re working through that, and as such, I was a player once and I never liked my business being out in the public, and so I’m gonna respect that. I’m not gonna speak for their side. I can say we’re having good talks and I’m just gonna leave it at that.”

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5375″ ]

It’s not a huge surprise Lynch didn’t want to dive into the contract negotiations in public. Aiyuk’s agent has also been quick to publicly refute rumors of trade talks between the 49ers and other teams.

Lynch reiterated his stance that the 49ers want to keep Aiyuk — a statement he also gave last time he spoke with media at the NFL owners meetings in March.

It’s unlikely we’ll see anything definitive on the Aiyuk situation until the draft. If he’s not dealt on Day 1 of the draft it’s unlikely he’ll be moved this year, which will turn the attention away from potential trades and toward the negotiations. After that we’ll probably have to wait for a deal to come together before we hear Lynch or anyone else from the 49ers say something of substance about it.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Finally, a hypothetical Brandon Aiyuk trade that makes some sense

If (IF) the 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk, this is the type of seismic deal to expect:

Hypothetical Brandon Aiyuk trades have been one of the topics du jour this NFL draft season. Much of the trade chatter around the 49ers’ star wide receiver has been publicly refuted by Aiyuk’s agent, but that hasn’t stopped some wild potential trades from being thrown about on the internet.

For the most part the fake Aiyuk trades haven’t been grounded in reality. The 49ers don’t want to move Aiyuk and there’s no reason at press time to believe he’s going to want a contract beyond what the 49ers will be willing to stomach. Still, most trades have been structured as though San Francisco is just looking to punt on the Second-Team All-Pro. Thankfully, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell in his mock draft that features trades at every pick actually proposed the type of trade we might see if Aiyuk does get moved.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5375″ ]

It’s worth noting the 49ers would have suitors for Aiyuk if they made him available. The chances they’d acquiesce to a trade that landed them anything less than a first-round pick in this year’s draft seem slim. That’s why Barnwell’s proposed trade works. He has San Francisco sending Aiyuk and pick Nos. 31 and 94 in this year’s draft to the Los Angeles Chargers for pick Nos. 5 and 181 this year.

To be clear, Barnwell isn’t reporting this deal. However, if we see Aiyuk dealt on Draft Night, it’ll likely be in a deal of this magnitude. It’ll be one that moves the needle pretty significantly. There’s unlikely to be a trade that features the 49ers receiving a second-round pick and a couple of other later selections.

At the fifth overall pick San Francisco would have a strong foundation to either get Aiyuk’s replacement with whichever of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze is available and atop their board. They’d also likely have their pick of offensive tackles at No. 5 overall. If they could snag a player like Notre Dame OT Joe Alt it’s hard to envision a scenario where they don’t come out of Day 1 of the draft as a pretty big winner.

Then they’d have an opportunity on Day 2 to either get aggressive in Round 2 and move up, or trade down into the third and pick up some additional capital later on Day 2 or in Day 3.

Our official stance is that we don’t believe Aiyuk will be dealt. This is a fascinating scenario though and the 49ers would have to put themselves in that kind of top-five position to even begin justifying shipping out a rising young superstar.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Possible Steelers trade target Brandon Aiyuk posts cryptic message on IG

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s Instagram story indicates “fireworks” are coming on draft day. Does that mean a trade?

Days after unfollowing the San Fransisco 49ers on social media, disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk posted a cryptic message to his Instagram story.

“Brother said we got 6 days and it’s fireworks,” Aiyuk wrote. It’s not likely a coincidence that six days from today is day one of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to Aiyuk for several weeks now. His agent denied that he requested a trade, and there were even questions about whether the Niners wanted to part ways with him.

Whether it’s the Steelers — and it’s evident fans would be all over that — or another team, Aiyuk doesn’t seem long for the 49ers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Brandon Aiyuk’s camp publicly refutes another trade rumor

Another Brandon Aiyuk trade rumor shot down by Aiyuk’s agent.

Another Brandon Aiyuk trade rumor has been publicly denied by the wide receiver’s agent. After an author at a website that covers the Pittsburgh Steelers reported that a person inside the Steelers building would be shocked if the team didn’t trade for Aiyuk, Aiyuk’s agent Ryan Williams took to the internet to dispute the report.

“Another ‘report’ that couldn’t be more incorrect,” Williams wrote on Twitter. “Fictional ‘journalism’ should really stop.”

It’s interesting that Williams is coming out publicly and doing this. Another random Twitter user ‘reported’ that an Aiyuk trade was in the works and Williams shot that one down too.

Perhaps he’s just looking out for his client. Maybe he’s just really anti-false reporting. Conventional wisdom says trade rumors muddying the waters might help a player in negotiations. Granted, a team knows what clubs are and are not calling so it’s hard to imagine San Francisco getting scared off by a rumor involving them.

Still, this may be a matter of the 49ers and Aiyuk’s camp being on good terms heading into negotiations on a long-term extension. Aiyuk is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract in 2024.

Trade rumors swirling may be perceived by the 49ers as Aiyuk’s camp trying to leak information to help them in those negotiations. By publicly denying the rumors Williams removes himself from being the possible culprit behind the reports.

Ultimately for 49ers fans worried Aiyuk may get dealt, seeing his agent deny even flimsy report from smaller-profile reporters has to be good news.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

What would Steelers have to give up in trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk?

What would the Steelers have to give up for a player of Aiyuk’s caliber? 

A Brandon Aiyuk trade has been the hottest topic tied to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.

The disgruntled wide receiver unfollowed the San Fransisco 49ers on social media this week, a clear sign that ongoing negotiations for a long-term contract are not going well.

For a player, deleting association with a team is akin to changing relationship status to single and removing all photo evidence of your significant other and it does often lead to a parting of ways.

Mandatory minicamp doesn’t start until June, but the Steelers and their fans certainly hope the courtship doesn’t last that long.

What would Pittsburgh have to give up for Aiyuk?

“I think what would be more likely is the Steelers giving up a future No. 2 choice and also swapping first-round picks,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac wrote in his April 17 Q&A.

It may sound like a lot, but the Steelers need a top-tier veteran after trading their own in a March to the Carolina Panthers. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Pittsburgh uses a first- or second-round pick on a receiver in the NFL draft, so swapping and giving up one for a proven player is worth it. A rookie is an unknown commodity outside of college-level performance.

If the deal goes down, it becomes a matter of what’s next.

An ideal scenario would involve San Fransisco footing some (or all) of Aiyuk’s $14 million salary for this season. Though Pittsburgh wouldn’t need to extend him this offseason, it’s likely they would because he’s entering the final year of his deal. According to Spotrac, Aiyuk’s market value is $24.9 million, and that sounds like the low end of the final figure.

At 26, Aiyuk hasn’t even reached his prime yet and he’s produced insane numbers (2,357 yards, 15 touchdowns) over the past two seasons. He’ll be around for a contract or two.

Aiyuk is worth it, even if it’s not to the San Fransisco 49ers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Kendrick Bourne continuing to recruit Brandon Aiyuk to Patriots

Kendrick Bourne is pulling out all of the stops to recruit Brandon Aiyuk to New England

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has already tried recruiting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Patriots. However, Bourne ramped up his recruitment over the weekend.

There was an initial report that Aiyuk requested a trade from the 49ers. However, the wide receiver’s agent shut down the report. There have been rumors surrounding the wide receiver ever since the beginning of this off-season, and he has been linked as a player the Patriots could potentially show interest in, if the 49ers are willing to trade him.

Aiyuk could provide a spark to the Patriots’ passing game. He tallied 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He would immediately become New England’s top wide receiver, and he would give them that playmaking weapon they have been missing over the years.

In the meantime, Bourne has been hard at work trying his best to recruit the wideout.

It may seem like a bit of a longshot, especially given New England’s offseason strategy and trends to this point. Nevertheless, the draft is coming up. The organization has the draft capital to make something big happen.

Now, it’s up to them to seize the opportunity.

Cardinals a potential suitor for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

There are nor reports of talks or interest, but the Cardinals make sense as a potential destination for Aiyuk if he is traded.

The Arizona Cardinals currently have one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers have an unhappy receiver in Brandon Aiyuk, seeking a contract extension. While the Niners don’t want to, trading Aiyuk is a possibility.

While the Cardinals could draft a receiver with the fourth overall pick in the draft, there is the potential for trading back and missing out on the top receivers.

Because of that, the Cardinals are a team to watch to potentially be in the mix for trade talks for Aiyuk, writes Niners Wire managing editor Kyle Madson.

This is admittedly an extremely long shot given that trades within the division aren’t super common. Arizona has the No. 4 pick this year and the No. 27 selection from Houston. They’ll likely wind up picking the best WR in the class at the No. 4 spot after QBs go with the first three picks, but there’s a non-zero chance they trade back from four if a team wants to climb up to grab a QB. Depending on how far down Arizona trades they might still be able to draft a top WR. If they’re not able to swing those deals though, they could try and snag a proven commodity like Aiyuk in the trade market, even if it winds up costing them a heavy tax for playing in the NFC West.

PODCAST: Should the Cardinals trade for WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins?

Jess Root and Seth Cox discuss whether trading for Brandon Aiyuk or Tee Higgins would make sense for the Cardinals in this show.

The Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of all sorts of trade speculation in the NFL draft. When it comes to trade rumors for players on other teams, though, there has been nothing.

Their most glaring need on the roster is at wide receiver.

In this edition of the podcast, cohost Seth Cox and I discuss trading for a couple of good, established receivers — Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers and Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Are they worth it? What would it cost? Under what circumstances would it make sense?

We discuss all of that in this show.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

Times and topics:

(1:00) Should the Cardinals trade for Brandon Aiyuk?

(19:08) Should the Cardinals trade for Tee Higgins?

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=663413582]