Brandon Aiyuk's contract standoff will become locker room distraction for 49ers, says Packers Super Bowl champ James Jones
The situation between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers has gotten more dramatic. The wide receiver officially requested a trade from the franchise after they weren't able to reach a deal, and it looks like Deebo Samuel 2.0 might be coming in the next few months.
The fact that Aiyuk requested a trade doesn't necessarily mean that the 49ers will entertain offers - but considering that the team only has one year left in his contract, they might not have much of a choice if a deal isn't negotiated. And this could lead to problems during the season.
Former wide receiver James Jones, who played most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, spoke about the situation on his appearance at Speak On. Jones said that if the standoff continues in the coming months, this could become a bigger problem in the locker room:
Brandon Aiyuk vs. 49ers: Should fans be concerned?
When you look at the salary cap situation of the team, it's understandable why they're wary of making any long-term commitment to Brandon Aiyuk. The San Francisco 49ers are over the 2025 cap, and there's no guarantee that the wide receiver would accept his contract to be backloaded.
We have seen plenty of wide receiver trades in the last two years and the reason is simple: you either pay your quarterback or your wide receiver. It's no surprise that names like Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown got moved in 2022: you don't want to use such a huge portion of the cap for two players alone.
So, yes, fans should be concerned. Brandon Aiyuk ascended to the condition of number one receiver on the team, making plays with his speed, agility and underrated route-running.
The 49ers have bigger problems to fix than their wide receiver group, so don't expect them to use an early pick in the wide receiver room. Aiyuk's situation is still unclear, however, so no one should be assured of what's going to happen in the near future until a deal is signed - whether that's with the receiver or with another team.
Especially with Brock Purdy on the line for an extension soon.