Another teammate weighs in on Brandon Aiyuk contract drama

Noteworthy San Francisco 49ers players such as fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle remain optimistic the club will work things out with unhappy wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk after Aiyuk requested a trade amid his desire for a contract extension.

During a Monday appearance on San Francisco sports radio station 95.7 The Game, San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner suggested it's a matter of when, not if, Aiyuk returns to work after the 26-year-old skipped the club's mandatory minicamp in June.

"It's a part of the business, and so we all just let them handle that," Warner said about Aiyuk's situation, as shared by Will Simonds of NBC Sports Bay Area. "And when he's back, he's back. We'll welcome him with open arms."

Warner offered his comments the same day that ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter strongly hinted the 49ers will not trade either Aiyuk or fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel as the club attempts to make a second-straight trip to the Super Bowl. While Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract , Samuel is signed through the 2025 campaign.

Warner referenced that 49ers general manager John Lynch is no stranger to these types of contract standoffs. Samuel asked for a trade in the spring of 2022 but later signed an extension ahead of that season. Last summer, San Francisco waited until September before the club locked superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa down via a deal.

"When you're part of such a talented roster, I feel like this is something that goes on every season," Warner said about contract-related dramas hovering over the organization each year. "It's a good issue to have because, obviously, that means that your players are performing at such a high level that you have to have these kinds of conversations."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to list the 49ers second among the betting favorites at +600 odds to win Super Bowl LIX. Lynch may have to get creative to get Aiyuk back in the building before Week 1, but there remains no sign that San Francisco will trade the dynamic offensive weapon ahead of the upcoming campaign.