Brandon Aiyuk of San Francisco 49ers looking on.Brandon Aiyuk Photo via @OurSf49ers Twitter)
Cameras caught an interesting interaction between San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan at practice on Wednesday.

Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade from the 49ers two weeks ago, with talks on a contract extension going nowhere. The 2020 first-round pick is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

But Wednesday’s interaction between Aiyuk, Shanahan and Lynch indicates that things aren’t at least sour personally. Cameras caught a friendly interaction between the three, with Aiyuk walking over and greeting both men with a handshake:

Was Aiyuk just being professional to avoid unwanted conflict and tension, or is it a sign that the two sides are getting close to a contract extension? Interpret the interaction however you wish.

The 49ers haven’t at all indicated that they’re open to the idea of trading Aiyuk, who’s coming off a career year (75 receptions, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns). And don’t forget that fellow All-Pro wideout Deebo Samuel requested a trade two years ago, only to reach an agreement with the 49ers on a three-year extension.

Over his first four NFL seasons, Aiyuk has 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has exceeded the 70-catch and 1,000-yard marks in each of the last two years.

49ers Are Better Off Keeping Brandon Aiyuk

The 49ers already have the league’s best running back (Christian McCaffrey) and arguably the second-best tight end (George Kittle). But Samuel and Aiyuk are a top-five WR tandem in football, and the latter’s explosiveness and YAC production have really helped this 49ers offense reach another level since 2022.

Aiyuk is the 49ers’ best offensive player after McCaffrey, and Brock Purdy wouldn’t be playing like an MVP candidate without him. So at the end of the day, the 49ers’ best bet is to pay Aiyuk what he wants and keep the core together.