Why 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk Probably Won't Request a Trade

Deebo Samuel tried requesting a trade two years ago when his agent was negotiating a contract extension with the 49ers, and he didn't get traded.

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) during Super / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Aiyuk clearly isn't happy with the 49ers.

He wants a contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL and the 49ers haven't given it to him yet. So this past week, he unfollowed the team on Instagram, which led to speculation that he might formally request a trade soon, speculation which his agent shot down on Twitter.

So why wouldn't Aiyuk request a trade if his unhappy with the 49ers' offer? The answer is simple: Trade requests rarely work.

Deebo Samuel tried requesting a trade two years ago when his agent was negotiating a contract extension with the 49ers, and he didn't get traded. Instead, he created the perception that he was impatient, unprofessional, immature and egotistical. This didn't help his cause. And ultimately, he had to meet the 49ers in the middle and accept less money than he felt he deserved.

Aiyuk and his agent watched that saga unfold. They understand that a trade request is an idle threat from a player who's out of options. If they really want the 49ers to trade Aiyuk, they have to find a team that will pay Aiyuk what he wants and will trade the 49ers what they're asking for. That's what DeForest Buckner did four years ago when he wanted out. He went to the Colts and negotiated an extension with them. Buckner did the work, then came back to the 49ers, who sealed the deal that Buckner put together.

If Aiyuk wants out, he has to do what Buckner did. And if Aiyuk can't pull that off, he needs to start looking for a house in the Bay Area.