49ers GM John Lynch recently told ESPN's Pat McAfee Show that he doesn't want to trade Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel despite taking Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

EDGE Analysis

Trade rumors earlier in the offseason centered on Aiyuk, who is scheduled to play out 2024 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. After the Niners drafted Pearsall, a few reporters suggested Samuel was actually more likely to be moved, in which case the Niners presumably would place greater emphasis on signing Aiyuk to a long-term deal. It now appears both will stay with the team this season, as will returning No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings. That's not a guarantee, but it at least seems more likely that spring 2025 will be the break-up date for San Francisco's veteran WR corps. Aiyuk and Jennings are only under contract through 2024, while Samuel has two more years on his deal but no guaranteed money after this season.

GM John Lynch said Monday that the 49ers are having "good talks" with Aiyuk, who hasn't been at the team facility for the offseason program, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk is unlikely to show up for voluntary workouts without a new contract in hand, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll hold out from mandatory minicamp in June if the two sides haven't reached an agreement by then. The 26-year-old's agent denied reports of a trade request last weekend, and it sounds like there's still hope for a long-term contract heading into the fifth and final year of Aiyuk's rookie deal. He's scheduled to make $14.12 million under the fifth-year option, whereas a multi-year deal likely would entail a large signing bonus and an annual average value well north of $20 million. Making it work for the 2024 season isn't an issue, but the Niners may be hesitant to pay Aiyuk at market value long term when they already have six players scheduled for cap hits north of $20 million in 2025, including WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle. Even then, it's a workable situation, as they've got a starting QB on a late-round-rookie contract and don't owe large sums of guaranteed money beyond the current year to anyone besides DE Nick Bosa.

Aiyuk's agent, Ryan Williams of Athletes First, denied reports on social media Sunday that the wide receiver has requested a trade from the 49ers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk's contract status has been a matter of intense speculation throughout the offseason, with San Francisco GM John Lynch saying in late February that the organization is seeking a long-term contract extension with the wideout and then denying reports that the 49ers were engaged in trade discussions regarding Aiyuk about a month later. While some chatter surfaced Sunday suggesting that Aiyuk had officially requested a trade out of San Francisco, his agent swiftly shot down the sources of that information on social media, so the status of the receiver's contract talks with the organization that drafted him in 2020 remains uncertain. An extension isn't a necessity for Aiyuk to suit up for the 49ers next season -- he could play out the 2024 campaign with the club on his fifth-year option and then hit free agency next offseason.

GM John Lynch said Monday that the 49ers have not engaged in trade discussions regarding Aiyuk and that both sides continue to have active talks about a contract extension, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch also noted that San Francisco would be amicable to Aiyuk simply playing out the 2024 season on his fifth-year option, an outcome that would position the young wideout to hit free agency next offseason. The 2020 first-round pick recorded a 75-1,342-7 receiving line across 16 regular-season games last year, and while his skills certainly are central to the 49ers offense and Brock Purdy's continued success, the team is tight against the cap with a star-studded list of skill-position players that also includes WR Deebo Samuel, RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle (groin). Trade rumors may continue to surround Aiyuk this offseason even after Lynch's denial, but considering San Francisco's status as a win-now roster and high-end contender in the NFC, the team likely places extreme value on the 26-year-old wideout's continued presence, even if only for the short term.

49ers general manager John Lynch said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team wants to sign Aiyuk to a long-term contract extension, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lynch spoke strongly about Aiyuk's future, saying "we've got a nice track record of extending guys and [Aiyuk] is a guy we'd like to keep around." Now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, and coming off a standout 75-1,342-7 receiving line across 16 games in 2023, the wideout will be set for a big payday regardless of what team he ends up with. Aiyuk has improved upon his yardage and touchdown totals each season in the NFL, so it wouldn't be unheard of for him to take another step forward during the 2024 campaign.

Aiyuk had three receptions on six targets for 49 yards in a 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk made an impact on a couple of lengthy receptions in Sunday's narrow loss, but it wasn't enough to stop Patrick Mahomes and co. from winning back-to-back Lombardi Trophies. Aiyuk's fantasy season was a success after posting a 75/1342/7 receiving line across 16 starts with San Francisco. Now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, we should expect another season of strong output from the dynamic wideout as Aiyuk looks to earn his first big-bank contract at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.

Aiyuk had three receptions (on eight targets) for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-31 playoff win over the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk finished with three receptions for the second consecutive playoff game, but he was far more productive this time around compared to the 3-32-0 line he posted against the Packers in the divisional round. The athletic wideout made his mark on the highlight reel when he caught a pass that caromed off of both the hands and helmet of a diving Detroit defender before a leaping Aiyuk secured it for a 51-yard gain. Quarterback Brock Purdy awarded his receiver's efforts with a short touchdown pass just a few plays later. After the game Aiyuk was asked about the absurd catch, to which he credited a ladybug landing on his foot during pregame warmups. The 49ers are hoping to channel more of that luck when the team prepares to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11.

Aiyuk secured three of six targets for 32 yards in the 49ers' 24-21 divisional-round win over the Packers on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk had an underwhelming night by any measure, but especially within the context of Deebo Samuel exiting the game for good in the first half due to a shoulder injury. Aiyuk recorded a career-best 1,342 yards on the strength of a career-high 28 receptions of 20+ yards across 16 regular-season games; therefore, despite Saturday's downturn, Aiyuk, who tallied three 100-yard efforts in his last four full games of the campaign, should have a strong chance to bounce back against the vulnerable secondary of either the Buccaneers or Lions in an NFC Championship Game matchup on Sunday, Jan. 28.

Aiyuk finished with three receptions on four targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk was one of only two key offensive players to suit up for the 49ers in a game that did not affect the team's standing as the NFC's No. 1 seed. Both he and Deebo Samuel got light work with three touches apiece while Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle all sat this one out. Aiyuk concludes the 2023 regular season with a new career high in receiving yards (1,332) to go along with 75 receptions and seven touchdowns. The budding star will now turn to the upcoming postseason, which will commence for San Francisco on either Jan. 20 or Jan. 21.

Aiyuk recorded seven receptions on eight targets for 114 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Commanders.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk accounted for four of the 49ers' five longest plays from scrimmage with catches of 38, 22 and 17 yards (twice). As a result, he was able to reach 100 yards for the third time in his last four games. Aiyuk also found the end zone for the first time since Week 13, helping the 49ers clinch the top seed in the NFC with a game-clinching touchdown early in the fourth quarter. With their seed locked in, the team could opt to rest Aiyuk and other starters in Week 18 against the Rams.