San Francisco may not be telling interested suitors that Brandon Aiyuk is available for trade, but those around the league are acting as if he’s on the trade block.
A former teammate of Aiyuk recently approached the 49ers star wide receiver to urge him to join the New England Patriots.
The 49ers and Aiyuk are reportedly not close in negotiations for a long-term deal. While the 49ers said last month they have no plans to trade Aiyuk, there have been suggestions the team might start exploring a trade close to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Aiyuk wants to be paid like a true number-one receiver, which would put him in the ballpark of approximately $30 million per year.
The 49ers don’t yet view him as a $30 million pass catcher. With quarterback Brock Purdy’s looming contract extension coming in the 2025 offseason, the 49ers must realize they can’t keep all their important pieces.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been suggested as a logical trade partner for Aiyuk. But a new team could be in the mix. Per 49ers Webzone, former 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne reached out to Aiyuk on social media:
However, if circumstances change, one of Aiyuk’s former teammates, Kendrick Bourne, expressed his desire to reunite with the receiver in New England.
Bourne, a former fan favorite in the Bay Area, recently tried to recruit Aiyuk via Instagram. The two were 49ers teammates in 2020, Bourne’s last year with the team before signing with the Patriots.
The Patriots could be an intriguing option for Aiyuk’s camp. The Patriots are expected to take a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the draft. Aiyuk would be a huge help for a rookie with a roster desperate for a pass catcher.
Aiyuk’s two best seasons as a pro have been with Purdy playing in his rookie season (2022) and his second (2023), so he knows how to get along with young quarterbacks.
Would the 49ers trade Aiyuk if they could take the 34th overall pick in the draft from the Patriots?
