49ers’ Nick Bosa and Kyle Shanahan Respond to Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says there is still a situation in which the 49ers keep wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk amid trade rumors and reports that have gone on for much of the offseason.

Aiyuk, 26, has been seeking a new contract this offseason, but has been unable to agree to terms with the 49ers on a deal. Aiyuk requested a trade earlier this offseason, but 49ers general manager John Lynch said in July that the team had “no intent” of trading Aiyuk.

Read More: San Francisco 49ers Have ‘No Intention’ of Trading Brandon Aiyuk: Report

This stance has changed, as Shanahan confirmed on Tuesday that Aiyuk does have permission to negotiate with other teams who could trade for him, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

Aiyuk has still reported to camp but is not practicing amid the disputes.

“It’s been at this point for a little bit, so nothing really new to me,” Shanahan added, via Wagoner. “mean you’re always disappointed when you can’t keep hold of all your players or it’s not going exactly right. I don’t like losing anybody, so that’s why I’m hoping it does work out here, but right now we don’t have that solved yet. So, I hope it does.”

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa added that losing Aiyuk would be “huge” and he is a tough player to replace.

“It’s brutal, especially when you’re here, you have that extra pressure on you … It will get worked out,” Bosa said.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns have all reportedly participated in trade talks for the incoming fifth-year receiver.

Read More: 49ers Have ‘Framework of a Brandon Aiyuk Trade’ With 2 Teams: Report

Aiyuk is coming off the best year of his career, recording a career-high 1,342 yards with seven touchdowns on 75 catches. He established an early chemistry with starting quarterback Brock Purdy, as the duo helped the 49ers finish top-five in passing yards per game and advance to the Super Bowl.

As a young receiver in the prime of his career, Aiyuk has naturally been coveted by several receiver-needy teams.

Read More: 49ers Don’t Have Trade in Place for Brandon Aiyuk, Despite Reports

The 49ers did potentially address the possibility of losing Aiyuk by drafting a wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, with their first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Even with this pick, it would be hard to replace the production that Aiyuk had. Aiyuk in addition to tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, and receiver Deebo Samuel is what makes the 49ers’ offseason so dangerous for opposing defenses.

The 49ers did previously handle a similarly tense contract dispute with wide receiver Deebo Samuel during the 2022 offseason. Samuel at one point even requested a trade as well but ended up signing a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension to stay with the 49ers.