49ers teammate reacts to Brandon Aiyuk trade request

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk still believes the club can hold onto unsettled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk through at least the 2024 season even after it was learned on Tuesday that Aiyuk has requested a trade amid his desire for a contract extension.

"I totally get this is Brandon’s first run at possibly getting a new contract, and he wants to do what’s best for him, what’s best for his family," Juszczyk said about the situation during a chat with Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital. "The Niners, on the other side, they want to do what’s right by Brandon, but they also want to do what they feel is best for the team. I’m still hopeful that they will find something that is good for both of them. I still feel like that is a possibility."

Juszczyk first joined the 49ers in 2017 and, thus, was with the club when receiver Deebo Samuel asked for a trade but then signed a contract extension ahead of the 2022 season. More recently, star pass-rusher Nick Bosa received a desired deal from San Francisco shortly before Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.

As for Aiyuk, he's in the final year of his rookie deal and reportedly hasn't seen an updated offer from the 49ers "since May." The 26-year-old skipped the club's mandatory minicamp in June and could stay away from the team through when veterans are due to report to training camp next Tuesday.

Nevertheless, many insiders believe Aiyuk will ultimately have to play for the 49ers this season because he's under contract via a deal that could allow the team to retain his rights for 2025 via the franchise tag.

"I’ve talked with Brandon, and I think the biggest thing I stressed is no matter what goes on in this business end or whatever, none of your teammates are holding this against you," Juszczyk added. "...We all just encourage him – handle what you need to handle, we hope you’re here obviously, and we’re supporting you. We'll welcome him back with open arms hopefully when they get that deal done."

Juszczyk noted that the 49ers "always seem to get through" these types of potential setbacks. After all, San Francisco was a single defensive stop away from beginning the preseason as the reigning Super Bowl champions.

While Juszczyk and others inside the locker room aren't strangers to teammates holding out, they also understand the 49ers have a better chance of returning to the Super Bowl with a happy Aiyuk on the active roster than with the offensive weapon sitting at home.