Why did Brandon Aiyuk request a trade? Timeline of 49ers WR's feud with San Francisco front office

Brandon Aiyuk, one of the 49ers most important offensive pieces, appears to yearn for pastures new after NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that the San Francisco wideout formally requested a trade on Tuesday.

Tuesday's report won't come as much of a surprise to those keyed on Aiyuk's actions as of late. The 26-year old, who tallied a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns en route to earning second-team All-Pro honors, has appeared on the outs since the end of the 2023 season, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reporting in May that the Arizona State product was after a deal similar to that of Amon-Ra St. Brown, who agreed terms to a four-year, $120 million treatise with the Lions earlier in the offseason. Aiyuk has one year remaining on his current deal. He's slated to receive $14.1 million in the upcoming season.

With the Niners reportedly unwilling to engage in contract discussions with their star since May, Aiyuk's trade request could be considered something of a Hail Mary — a last-ditch attempt for Aiyuk to fetch a contract in line with his market value.

It seems his attempt will fall short; ESPN's Josina Anderson reported that the Patriots were one of several teams rebuffed in their efforts to inquire about the want-away star.

Aiyuk isn't the first San Fran supernova to seek a bumper contract. George Kittle, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel all experienced the same process when they were attempting to negotiate with the Niners. They eventually reached agreements that worked for them. In Aiyuk's situation, it's still a work in progress.

Here's a timeline on Aiyuk's search for a deal commensurate with his production, one that figures to heat up as we draw closer to the start of preseason.

Brandon Aiyuk-49ers contract talks timeline

February 11: Aiyuk suggests he could depart San Francisco following Super Bowl 58 defeat

Questions about Aiyuk's future with the 49ers began, in earnest, shortly after the 49ers lost Super Bowl 58 to the Chiefs.

Reporters asked Aiyuk during San Francisco's locker cleanouts if he expected to be back with the 49ers next season.

"If that's the right move," he cryptically responded.

Aiyuk's comments came after his friend, Draysean Hudson, posted an Instagram video calling out Aiyuk's lack of targets in the Super Bowl and implying that the receiver would leave San Francisco during the offseason. Aiyuk's girlfriend Rochelle Searight posted a TikTok the next day — locker cleanout day — addressing his uncertain future.

"This might have been the last day we touched foot on Levi's Stadium," she said, "because we might not be out here next year."

March 19: Aiyuk shouts out Mike Tomlin on social media, prompting internet meltdown

Aiyuk caused a stir in Pittsburgh when he asked Steelers coach Mike Tomlin a simple question on social media in March.

"They saying we twins," the post read. "What you think?"

Brandon Aiyuk reaches out to Mike Tomlin 👀🤔

(via @THE2ERA ) pic.twitter.com/NT6rR0sCIo

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2024

Fans have pointed out the eerie similarities between Aiyuk and Tomlin before, but it seemed like an odd time for the 49ers receiver to reference the comparison. It came just after reports that the Steelers had "looked into" Aiyuk on the trade market.

Naturally, that led to rampant speculation Aiyuk would be traded to Pittsburgh. That may have led the receiver to delete the post from his social media feed quickly.

Even so, the debate about Aiyuk's post — and his future with the 49ers — lived on.

April 13: Aiyuk unfollows 49ers on socials

Aiyuk followed up his Tomlin praise with another social media effort nearly one month later, this time removing San Francisco from the list of social media accounts his follows on Instagram. Some believed the move precipitated Aiyuk and his representatives gearing up to request a trade. However, Aiyuk's agent shut down all such talk with a post on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.

You need better sources. https://t.co/iB7Y6CDcGt

— Ryan Williams (@RyanWilliamsA1) April 14, 2024

April 26: San Francisco surprisingly snags Florida WR Ricky Pearsall in first round of NFL Draft

San Francisco opted to use its first round pick on Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall, a decision that puzzled some given Pearsall's pre-draft rankings (many viewed Pearsall as a second- or third-rounder) and, more notably, the amount of depth San Francisco had in its WR room. With Samuel, Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings leading the line, the Niners seemed fairly well-equipped at the position, especially when compared with the team's defensive core, which lost Chase Young and Arik Armstead to free agency.

Pearsall will turn 24 in September and figures to be called upon to contribute right away, be that as a pass-catcher, a return specialist or both. Still, his arrival appeared to spell the end for one of Aiyuk or Samuel, both of whom San Francisco dangled in an attempt to nab a top-10 pick, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini .

July 7: Aiyuk posts cryptic image of Commanders film, sparking rumors of reunion with Jayden Daniels

Aiyuk and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels are thick as thieves, having formed a formidable partnership while both were enrolled at Arizona State. That brotherhood has continued even as both have become professionals. And it seems to have reached a fever pitch on July 7, when Aiyuk posted a screenshot of the Commanders' offensive scheme during one of their practices on his Tik Tok.

Aiyuk further fanned flames with a high-profile FaceTime call with Daniels shortly thereafter.

Washington is widely considered to be one of the favorites for Aiyuk if he were to depart the Bay Area.