49ers GM addresses future of Brandon Aiyuk amid trade rumors

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch held his annual pre-draft news conference on Monday and suggested that he won't be trading star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk before or during the draft that gets underway on Thursday night. 

"With B.A., I’ve communicated on many occasions: Our wish is that he’s here as part of the Niners for the rest of his career," Lynch said about Aiyuk's uncertain future, as shared by Danny Emerman of the Bay Area News Group and David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "We’re working through that." 

Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract and has not been around the team for the voluntary portion of the offseason program. While it was reported last week that at least the Pittsburgh Steelers were previously told that San Francisco isn't trading Aiyuk, it was hinted as recently as Sunday that the 26-year-old had been given permission to gauge interest from other clubs about a possible deal. 

Lynch was asked Monday if there's a chance Aiyuk won't be on San Francisco's roster this Friday after the first round of the draft is completed. 

"I wouldn’t anticipate that," Lynch responded. Lynch did, however, acknowledge he's received calls from interested teams about Aiyuk's services. 

"I’m not going to get in all those details," Lynch said about such discussions. "We’re really focused on B.A. being a part of (our team)."

As shown by ESPN stats, Aiyuk shared the 49ers team lead of seven touchdown receptions for the 2023 regular season. He also finished Week 18 first among San Francisco players with 75 receptions and 1,342 receiving yards. 

49ers fans will remember how the club came to terms on a contract with superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa days before the club's Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this past September. Lynch indicated he'd like to have Aiyuk signed earlier into the ongoing offseason if possible. 

"Human nature is that deadlines force these things," Lynch added during his comments. "But I think you can always learn from situations, and you'd be a fool not to. I'd like to have our business tidied up [earlier]. ...I'd sure like it to happen sooner."

As of late Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the 49ers as the betting favorites at +250 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. 

San Francisco may not need Aiyuk to accomplish such a goal, but most would agree that the Niners' offense is better with the veteran of four NFL seasons than without him.