49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Praised 'Fire' Ricky Pearsall Pick to GM amid NFL Trade Rumors
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVApril 26, 2024
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk fully endorsed the team's decision to take another wideout to open its 2024 NFL draft account.
The Niners selected Florida's Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick. General manager John Lynch told reporters Aiyuk sent a message to him and head coach Kyle Shanahan about the choice: "Fire pick, I can't lie."
From the moment commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement, it was impossible to divorce Pearsall's imminent arrival from San Francisco's current situation at receiver.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterSome context on 49ers using their first-round pick on WR Ricky Pearsall:<br>🏈Brandon Aiyuk is in the last year of his deal.<br>🏈Jauan Jennings is in the last year of his deal.<br>🏈Deebo Samuel has two years remaining on his deal. <a href="https://t.co/TzbP2asO5o">https://t.co/TzbP2asO5o</a>
Aiyuk's future in the Bay Area is especially cloudy. He's due to be a free agent in 2025, so this is the offseason to move the 26-year-old if Lynch is wary of paying him what it will take amid a spike in the market.
Hours before the draft got underway, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported the Niners "have had conversations with teams" about dealing Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel with an eye toward trading up in the first round.
While Lynch and Shanahan didn't do anything that aggressive, choosing Pearsall certainly looks like a case of forward planning.
For Aiyuk, it's easy to shrug off the 49ers using a first-rounder on another wide receiver because he knows full well he's going to be a key cog in the offense regardless. He'll also be confident in his ability to ultimately get the kind of long-term contract he's seeking, whether it's from San Francisco or another franchise.
