49ers say trades involving Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel are unlikely - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — As San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan made their way to the auditorium Thursday night, a text popped up on each of their phones.

The sender was Brandon Aiyuk, the subject of plenty of trade speculation amid the Niners' latest attempts to consummate a big-money contract extension with the star wide receiver. Lynch and Shanahan had just spent the No. 31 pick in the NFL draft Thursday on Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall, a selection that didn't do much to quiet the Aiyuk rumors.

But Aiyuk's message wasn't one of anger. It was far simpler.

«Fire pick, I can't lie,» Aiyuk's message said, according to Lynch.

Aiyuk and Pearsall played together at Arizona State in 2019 and remain friendly. In fact, Pearsall spoke to Aiyuk on the phone before he spoke with Bay Area media Thursday night.

That all took place against the backdrop of the seemingly endless speculation about Aiyuk's future. Despite San Francisco's insistence that it wants to re-sign Aiyuk, who is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, that conjecture kicked into overdrive Thursday with many wondering if the Niners would give in and trade him.

Lynch and Shanahan acknowledged that there had been discussions with other teams Thursday. But Lynch said no deals came close to happening, while Shanahan said a trade of Aiyuk or fellow wideout Deebo Samuel never seemed likely.

Asked late Thursday night if such a trade could still happen heading into Friday, Lynch and Shanahan again didn't sound like a deal for either player was imminent, though they didn't close the door completely.

It was a familiar tone for the GM and coach, who often joke that they would trade each other if the offer was right.

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