Brandon Aiyuk’s Latest Offseason Activity Amid 49ers Trade Rumors Catches Attention

Aiyuk found his way to San Francisco as the No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he quickly became a key piece of the team’s offense. While he initially played second-fiddle to Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in the passing game, Aiyuk came into his own in 2023, when he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earning him a spot on the All-Pro Second Team.

With his breakout season in the books, Aiyuk spent the ensuing offseason looking for a contract extension. Tense negotiations with the 49ers front office took place, and it eventually ended with him signing a four-year, $120 million deal ahead of the 2024 campaign. San Fran felt confident that with Aiyuk on board, they would be able to make another championship run after coming up just short in Super Bowl LVIII.

Instead, Aiyuk struggled early in 2024, catching just 25 passes for 374 yards and no touchdowns before he tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7, which promptly ended his season. Aiyuk has since been working hard at rehabbing this injury, but the trade rumors haven’t gone away, as some reports have indicated that the team feels his deal is too rich for him, especially as he attempts to return from such a serious injury.While some NFL insiders have attempted to shoot down the rumors surrounding Aiyuk, chances are they will continue to exist until he returns to the field and reemerges as San Francisco’s No. 1 wide receiver. For his part, Aiyuk seems completely unbothered by the trade rumors, as he recently shared a video of himself diving into a pool while on vacation in the Bahamas.

49ers Looking for Brandon Aiyuk to Step Up in 2025

The 49ers offense is going to look different in 2025, as they will be placing more responsibility on Aiyuk’s shoulders after they traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders this offseason. That may seem like a risk considering Aiyuk’s struggles before his season-ending injury, but it wasn’t long ago that he was one of the most productive wide receivers in the league in 2023.