The San Francisco 49ers have confirmed that they will not be trading their star veteran wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, before the upcoming season. General manager John Lynch stated in an interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” that he is focused on keeping the roster intact and is not entertaining any trade offers for the two players. While there were rumors of potential trades involving Aiyuk and Samuel, Lynch emphasized that the team is past that stage and will be keeping both players for the upcoming season.
Aiyuk, the 2020 first-round pick, is entering the final year of his rookie contract, while Samuel, the 2019 second-round pick, recently signed a three-year, $71.5 million contract extension in 2022. Despite rumors circulating throughout the offseason about potential trades, especially after the drafting of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, Lynch confirmed that the team expects to start the season with both Aiyuk and Samuel on the roster. Lynch expressed excitement about the team’s wide receiver group, which also includes Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, Danny Gray, and the newly drafted Pearsall and Jacob Cowing.
Both Aiyuk and Samuel had impressive performances in the 2023 season, each surpassing 1,000 total yards from scrimmage despite facing injuries that caused them to miss some games. Aiyuk led the team in receiving yards with 1,342, ranking him seventh in the entire NFL, while Samuel contributed 1,117 total yards with 892 receiving yards and 225 rushing yards. Their contributions were crucial in helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl, where they ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in heartbreaking overtime fashion. Lynch expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, stating that they need to make some improvements to reach their goals.
While trade rumors may have circulated surrounding Aiyuk and Samuel, the 49ers ultimately decided to keep both players and focus on strengthening their roster for the upcoming season. Lynch emphasized his commitment to keeping the team intact and expressed confidence in the abilities of Aiyuk and Samuel to contribute to the team’s success. With a strong group of wide receivers, Lynch believes that the team can build on their previous successes and make improvements to compete at the highest level. The decision to retain Aiyuk and Samuel reflects the team’s commitment to continuity and building on their previous achievements.
As the 49ers prepare for the upcoming season, Lynch and the rest of the organization are focused on making the necessary adjustments to improve on their performance and compete for a championship. Despite the challenges and setbacks of the previous season, Lynch is optimistic about the team’s potential and the contributions that Aiyuk and Samuel can make. With a talented group of wide receivers and a strong vision for the future, the 49ers are poised to build on their successes and work towards achieving their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl. Lynch’s statement reaffirms the team’s commitment to their current roster and their belief in the capabilities of their star players.
