49ers' Kittle supports Aiyuk's trade request
49ers tight end George Kittle hopes San Francisco finds a way to reward disgruntled receiver Brandon Aiyuk with a long-term contract extension.
"Aiyuk's just a phenomenal football player," Kittle said Monday on the NFL Network's "The Insiders." "He does everything you want him to do as a wide receiver, including taking touchdowns from me once in a while, which I'm totally OK with. But he's just such a dynamic receiver, and he's just such a very important part of our offense.
"So, yes, getting Brandon Aiyuk the money that he deserves - I hope nothing for the best for him. There's, unfortunately, not much that I can do to help put with that except just cheer him on from the sidelines, and hopefully, we figure something out because he's one of my favorite teammates I've had."
Aiyuk recently requested a trade from the 49ers after the sides couldn't agree on a contract extension. Teams have reached out to San Francisco, but the club reportedly intends to keep the All-Pro pass-catcher.
The 26-year-old also skipped mandatory minicamp. Aiyuk caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 to claim a second-team All-Pro nod for the first time in his career. He's the only 49ers player with at least 100 targets in each of the last two seasons.
Aiyuk has racked up 3,931 yards and 25 TDs on 269 receptions in 62 appearances since San Francisco drafted him 25th overall in 2020.
"When there's a receiver who can run every single route, catch all the tough footballs, be open at the right time, but also grinds in the run game, blocks everybody you want him to - you see all his highlights in the run game," Kittle said of Aiyuk. "When you have a guy that does all that type of stuff and just sets the tempo and sets the tone, those guys are really important to your offense."
Aiyuk has only one year left on his rookie contract and is set to earn $14.1 million in 2024. His market value is $26.2 million per season, according to Spotrac. Former Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson tops the wide receiver position with a salary of $35 million.