Trade rumors are swirling around San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, as both parties are now in a contract stalemate. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently proposed a hypothetical trade scenario involving Aiyuk and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The proposed trade would see the 49ers receiving the No. 5 overall pick along with additional selections, while the Chargers would acquire Aiyuk and other draft picks from San Francisco.
Barnwell suggests that acquiring a rookie wide receiver through the draft would provide the 49ers with a cost-controlled option at the position for the next five seasons. This move could be strategic, especially with quarterback Brock Purdy poised for a significant contract extension from his cost-effective deal.
On the other hand, the Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, could benefit from adding Aiyuk to their roster. Aiyuk’s dynamic playmaking abilities would complement quarterback Justin Herbert’s skill set, providing an added dimension to the Chargers’ offense.
While trade speculation swirls, it’s essential to note that Aiyuk has already begun skipping voluntary workouts with the 49ers. Although his agent denied reports of a trade request, Aiyuk’s actions suggest that he may be seeking a more lucrative contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
Brandon Aiyuk’s 49ers contract details
Brandon Aiyuk is poised to enter the fifth and final year of his rookie contract in 2024. The contract, worth a total of $14.124 million, includes a guaranteed sum of $12,531,342. This guaranteed amount is set to be fully earned by Aiyuk due to the nature of rookie scale contracts and the terms outlined in his deal.
Unlike some contracts laden with clauses and offsets, his current deal is relatively straightforward. As is typical for high-draft pick rookie contracts, it lacks many additional provisions beyond the guaranteed sum.
Meanwhile, Aiyuk’s current contract translates to average annual earnings of just over $3 million, specifically $3,132,836. Over the course of the entire four-year deal, his earnings amounted to nearly $12.5 million.
An interesting perspective on his earnings emerges when considering them on a daily basis. His total earnings divide out to approximately $6 per minute each day, as per Sportskeeda.
For the upcoming season, the final year of his current deal, Aiyuk’s salary is structured with a base salary of $2,318,819. This figure represents the portion of his earnings guaranteed for the 2024 season.
