Insider shares if 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk is close to deal, trade request

Unsettled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may not be close to signing a desired contract extension with the club, but that doesn't mean he's ready to request a trade before training camp practices begin later this month.

"For Aiyuk and the 49ers, they had conversations recently," NFL insider Mike Garafolo said during the latest edition of NFL Network's "The Insiders" program, per Marc Adams of 49ers WebZone. "They are no closer to a deal, from my understanding, but they are also no closer to a trade request. That's never been something that he has explored in this case. Besides, he's got to get back to work sometime before training camp to see if they can get something done."

Aiyuk remains in the final year of his rookie contract and suggested during a recent episode of "The Pivot Podcast" that he could feature for the Washington Commanders or Pittsburgh Steelers at some point. However, the 26-year-old later told TMZ Sports he "for sure" wants to play for the 49ers through at least the 2024 season.

"Everybody can rest easy," Aiyuk added during that quick chat. "We've got God on our side. Everybody rest easy."

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero (h/t Grant Gordon) reported last week that the 49ers and Aiyuk "would take some time to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday before resuming their work at hammering out a long-term pact."

Veteran 49ers players such as Aiyuk aren't due to report for training camp until July 23, and many reporters expect the two sides will get a deal done between this coming Monday and the club's regular-season opener versus the New York Jets on Sept. 9.

"He has alluded to the fact that he thinks he's going to be with the Niners in some form or fashion in '24," Garafolo said about Aiyuk.

San Francisco has Aiyuk signed through this coming season, can retain his rights for 2025 via the franchise tag and is viewed by many as the favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.

In short, the 2020 first-round draft pick may need to think about submitting a trade request if talks between his camp and the 49ers go nowhere over the next two-and-a-half weeks.