Ex-Patriots star pulls no punches when discussing Brandon Aiyuk trade saga

Just over three weeks remain until the San Francisco 49ers kick off the regular season against the New York Jets, and whether or not wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will take the field remains to be seen.

However, if one former Super Bowl champion has anything to say about it, Aiyuk would remain in red and gold all season.

Appearing on Fox’s NFL pregame show, ex-New England Patriots great Julian Edelman made it clear that he believes Aiyuk should play for the 49ers this year.

“If I was Brandon Aiyuk, I would be in San Francisco Week 1,” Edelman told Charissa Thompson . “Usually it goes, a team goes out and wins a Super Bowl, and everyone tries to get paid. They haven’t won a Super Bowl yet, but everyone is trying to get paid. So, if they can have the mental toughness, which means having the ability to do what’s best for the team when it’s not necessarily best for you…I’m just telling you there’s a jackpot at the end of the rainbow, and that’s a huge payday if (the 49ers) go out and get it done.”

As a three-time Super Bowl champion and the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LIII, Edelman knows the spoils earned by winning at the highest level.

Aiyuk’s situation doesn’t appear close to being resolved as he has yet to practice with the 49ers during training camp and hasn’t played in the preseason. Aiyuk is seeking a long-term contract extension with the Niners or a trade to a team that will pay him approximately double his current $14.1 million annual salary.

On Friday 49ers general manager John Lynch said that there is some urgency in getting a resolution to the standoff.

Last season Aiyuk, 26, led San Francisco in receptions (75), and receiving yards (1,342), and was tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (7).

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