Deommodore Lenoir was preparing to appear on the “Rich Eisen Show” when he learned of Brandon Aiyuk’s reported request to be traded from the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers cornerback and former Oregon Ducks’ star was surprised when told about the wide receiver’s apparent desire to leave the team amid a contract stalemate.
“Aw, nah. This can’t be true,” Lenoir said when told during his live appearance on the show.
Yes it is true. Aiyuk, unhappy with stalled negotiations on a contract extension, has reportedly asked for a trade. Aiyuk made the request after posting a career year in 2023, with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He’s extremely important to our offense,” Lenoir said on the “Rich Eisen Show.” “The stuff he can do, the amount of targets he had, and the production, it’s kind of second to none. So with just hearing that news, it’s kind of crazy.”
Aiyuk, 26, wants a big-money, long-term contract extension similar to what other wide receivers have signed during this past offseason. Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson have each signed deals worth an average annual salary of at least $30 million. Miami’s Jaylen Waddle has a deal with an average annual salary of $28.3 million and Philadelphia’s Devonta Smith signed a deal worth $25 million each year.
Aiyuk is set to make $14.124 million in 2024, the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. According to the report from Mike Garafolo, the 49ers haven’t had any talks since May and a frustrated Aiyuk apparently wants out.
“At the end of the day, we feel like we go out there, we risk our bodies to play the game we love, and we kind of deserve what we ask for,” Lenoir said on the show. “But for Aiyuk, he’s a big part of this team, one of the reasons why we even made it this far, to the Super Bowl ... He means a lot to us.”
The 49ers have been down this road before. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel requested a trade two years ago, and the two sides eventually reached an agreement. Defensive end Nick Bosa held out throughout training camp and the preseason before he and the 49ers agreed on a contract extension just days ahead of Week 1.
“So, I’m banging on it getting the job done,” Lenoir said. “We was two for two with Deebo and Bosa, so I feel like there’s going to be some type of agreement that comes soon.”
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