Report: Brandon Aiyuk officially requests trade from 49ers

It’s official. Brandon Aiyuk wants to retire.

Via NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Aiyuk has asked the 49ers to trade him “after an offseason of unsuccessful attempts to secure an extension.”

Aiyuk, named a second-team All-Pro in 2023, is entering the option period on his rookie contract. He is set to make $14.1 million this season.

Before the draft, we heard that the 49ers had quietly given Aiyuk’s agents permission to pursue a trade. That came after the 49ers informed the Steelers in February that Aiyuk was unavailable.

The challenge for a new team is to make Aiyuk a long-term offer he will accept and give the 49ers compensation they deem satisfactory. Unless those two things happen, a trade can’t happen.

Without a trade, Aiyuk likely won’t be in camp. Last year, defensive end Nick Bosa held out for several weeks before getting a long-term deal. The 49ers don’t seem as willing to pay Aiyuk as they were to pay Bosa.