By Matt Barrows, David Lombardi and Larry Holder
One week after requesting a trade during a contract dispute, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is reporting to training camp, according to a source briefed on the matter.
Aiyuk, who is entering the final year of his five-year contract, has sought a long-term extension this past year. General manager John Lynch said Tuesday that there are “no real details” about a potential trade for Aiyuk, but stressed the 49ers are “fully committed to Brandon being a Niner.”
“Brandon is a big part of his team and we expect him to be this year,” Lynch said. Asked if he expects Aiyuk to practice, Lynch said, “we expect all of our players to practice.”
Aiyuk, 26, is coming off a 2023 season in which he had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. In his four-year career, all with San Francisco, Aiyuk has 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 TDs.
GREAT CONGRATULATIONS
Three picks for the 49ers after the Brandon Aiyuk trade request
The 25th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk elevated his game in 2022 as Brock Purdy rose to become one of the better players in the league. Aiyuk secured the 1,000-yard mark in 2022 with 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.
Aiyuk has been a key part of an impressive line-up, along with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. But the 49ers drafted wideout Ricky Pearsall in the first round of this year’s draft, which made Aiyuk’s future beyond the 2024 season. Aiyuk now has a salary figure of $14.1 million per year this.
Another tough contract negotiation for the 49ers
The 49ers have had difficult contract negotiations in recent years. Last year involving Nick Bosa, for example, it lasted until the first week of the regular season. However, Lynch noted that Aiyuk’s contract situation has been more difficult than most. Anticipating that challenge, the 49ers began earlier than usual in contract negotiations but still do not appear to be close to a decision even though Lynch said it was “the best conversation.”
He said about these talks: “This has been a challenge.
While Aiyuk has reported to training camp with his teammates, it is not yet known if he will train this week. – Matt Barrows, 49ers head writer
San Francisco is focused on the Super Bowl
During these difficult negotiations, the position from the management of the 49ers remains stable: Lynch and Shanahan never decided to move Aiyuk, but they have repeatedly emphasized that Aiyuk is an important part of the team theirs, so it is likely that they will stay with them.
All these songs: The 49ers are Super Bowl favorites, and with so much pressure to win it this season, they’re certainly not motivated to part with a very good player. – David Lombardi, 49ers beat writer
The latest on Pearsall’s injury
One 49ers receiver who will definitely not participate in this week’s practices – Pearsall, who suffered a hamstring strain away from center and will begin training camp on the non-football injury list. Lynch said the injury does not appear to be serious. He said Pearsall is expected to miss the first four practice sessions. The hope is that he is out on Monday, after the players’ day off on Sunday. Pearsall looked good during spring practices in May and June where he saw multiple repetitions due to Aiyuk’s absence. He already seemed to be forming a friendship with Purdy.
While Pearsall will start camp at NFI, linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) and defensive end Drake Jackson (knee) will start on the PUP list. That means some players who were inactive during the spring are expected to practice this summer. That list includes Kittle (core), who is back to his playing weight of 243 pounds after dropping to 214 pounds following surgery, Charvarius Ward (core), center Jake Brendel (knee) and tight end Cameron Latu (knee). – Barrows
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(Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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