Here’s a rumor that’s gonna definitely send the Niner Nation into a full-blown panic. Just a month after the 49ers traded their All-Pro receiver, Deebo Samuel, it seems there could be more movement in their receiver room. Yep, the word on the street is that San Francisco might take another weapon off Brock Purdy’s offense and ditch him before the former Mr.Irrelevant gets his own future sorted. So, who’s the latest name that the Niners have apparently added to their trading block?

“You get calls, and you always listen to calls.” Those were 49ers GM John Lynch’s words from last month’s NFL Combine when asked about the possibility of trading Brandon Aiyuk. Translation: The 49ers were keeping their options open to trade their WR1 once the right offer arrived. Now, with April 1 approaching, new details are emerging that might accelerate Aiyuk’s exit from San Francisco.

As per Fox Sports Jordan Schultz, “The 49ers are open to trading Aiyuk…there has been communication with several teams…the timing here is crucial. Aiyuk has a guaranteed option bonus of nearly $23M that triggers on April 1, making it harder to move him afterward.” Here’s the thing: 49ers WR1 is due a guaranteed option bonus of $22.855M on April 1. And considering their off-season activity, where they have taken almost $80M in dead cap hits, it wouldn’t be a total surprise if the 49ers also moved Aiyuk to save themselves from paying him such a hefty sum.

See, anything could happen with Aiyuk’s future the next week. But the real question is, are there really going to be any trade partners available? I mean, Aiyuk will be coming off a significant knee injury. And there’s also no guarantee that he will return before next season. Adding to the fact, Aiyuk even underperformed since cashing in on his 2023 season, where he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and 7 TDs. After signing his $120M extension, Aiyuk only caught 25 passes for 374 yards and no TDs.

So, there’s also the concern about whether Aiyuk is still the player who won Second-team All-Pro in the 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LVIII. While the 49ers keep on playing with Aiyuk’s future in the Bay Area, it seems they have set a deadline to extend Brock Purdy’s contract.

It’s confirmed—Brock Purdy’s contractual saga is set to go on

“Purdy’s getting paid, that’s a fact.” Lynch had already set the record straight that they weren’t messing with Purdy’s future. And after they lost Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs to free agency, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Purdy is the future. But no matter how invested the 49ers are in securing Purdy’s long-term future, it seems they don’t have that urgency to tie him down.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz believes, “There’s no doubt who the 49ers QB of the future is: Brock Purdy. While sources don’t believe a contract extension is imminent, Fox Sports has learned that both sides are actively negotiating with the intent to finalize a deal before the 2025 season.” Surprised by the 49ers’ approach to Purdy’s contract extension? Well, you shouldn’t be considering their history in new deal negotiations.

Remember Nick Bosa’s 5-year, $170M extension in 2023? The 49ers waited until the final day to give him his deal. That’s not all. Aiyuk’s negotiations also dragged on for months. He was even in a hold-in instead of a hold-out. He even came to the 49ers facility but didn’t practice with his teammates. Even Trent Williams was in a similar situation last year. And before all of them, it was Deebo Samuel three years ago. So, the 49ers have been consistent in dragging negotiations till the new season knocks on their doors.

But will this strategy pay off with their QB—without whom your team will basically cease to function? That’s the question the 49ers need to answer themselves. Leave Purdy hanging for too long, and who knows, maybe they might lose their leverage in the negotiations.