Are 49ers letting Brandon Aiyuk explore trade possibilities? 

On Sunday evening, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested that San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been granted permission to gauge interest from other clubs regarding a trade that could occur either before or during the 2024 NFL Draft that gets underway this Thursday night. 

"Last weekend, Aiyuk’s agent took issue with a report that Aiyuk has requested a trade," Florio explained. "The truth, however, is more along the lines of Aiyuk getting clearance to see whether someone would be willing to do a deal with the 49ers, which necessarily would entail someone doing a deal for Aiyuk."

Florio added that "the 49ers rejected at least one overture regarding Aiyuk" earlier in the offseason. Last week, Florio reported that he had heard the Pittsburgh Steelers "placed a phone call a few weeks ago" but learned directly from the 49ers that they were not trading Aiyuk. 

Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract and has become a favorite target of quarterback Brock Purdy. According to ESPN stats, Aiyuk finished this past regular season with team highs of 75 receptions, 105 targets and 1,342 receiving yards. He also shared the team lead of seven touchdown receptions with two others. 

Florio indicated that the 49ers could wait until the draft's first round begins on Thursday night and then complete a transaction similar to how the Tennessee Titans sent receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 18 and No. 101 picks of the 2022 draft. 

The idea is that a 49ers team that has played in three straight conference championship games and that lost the Super Bowl this past February will want to replace Aiyuk with somebody who can contribute immediately this coming fall. 

Florio noted that the 49ers should hope to work things out with Aiyuk considering he's a proven commodity and San Francisco is expected to make yet another playoff run. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Niners second among the betting favorites at +600 odds to win Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. 

With that said, San Francisco may have to give Purdy a massive pay raise as soon as next offseason. Thus, those within the club's front office could feel that replacing Aiyuk with a cheaper alternative is the right move for the franchise's future beyond the 2024 campaign.