Brandon Aiyuk walks off field with San Francisco 49ers GM during training camp fuelling exit rumors after trade request
SAN Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appears to be edging closer to leaving the Super Bowl contenders.
The NFL All-Pro wideout showed up at training camp Tuesday despite reportedly requesting a trade from the team following a contract negotiations fiasco.
The following day, though, Aiyuk, 26, only watched the 49ers practice from the sideline and didn't wear his gear, per The Athletic's Matt Barrows.
He then could be seen walking off the field as his teammates were going through drills on the field.
The wide receiver headed to the 49ers headquarters together with general manager John Lynch, according to Barrows.
Lynch is said to have reappeared about an hour later — but Aiyuk reportedly did not.
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As the camp opened, San Francisco's GM said that the former first-round pick remains in the team's plans.
"We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward," Lynch said on Tuesday, via ESPN.
"We're always open to listen to things, but like I said, we expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team like he has been and excited about that."
Meanwhile, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that Aiyuk's situation is far from ideal.
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"It’s tough. Especially a player like Brandon,” Shanahan told reporters.
"But that’s something where, if I just found that out today, you’d probably see me in a lot more of a panic.
"But it’s something that you understand what’s going on. I’ve understood that the whole offseason.
"It’s something I hope that we don’t have to deal with, but if you do, you’ve got to deal with it.
"So you prepare for that in how you think, how you plan and it’s not something that you can let surprise you in my situation.
"So, it’s definitely not the ideal situation. Not at all what you want, but it’s something that you’re prepared for as a coach, and you plan your team accordingly."
NFL important dates
August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 - Pre-season begins
August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters
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September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 - Trade deadline
January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 - Playoffs begin
February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
With the contract talks coming to a halt in recent weeks, Aiyuk revealed two teams he could see himself playing for if he ended up leaving San Francisco.
Asked by NFL analyst Ryan Clark what jersey he could sport next season, the wideout said, "If not a Niner uniform probably a Washington Commander uniform."
"If not a Washington Commander uniform, probably a [Pittsburgh] Steelers uniform."
Troubles keep piling up for the 49ers as Trent Williams, 36, didn't practice with the team either.
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The All-Pro tackle did not report for training camp due to contract issues, Shanahan confirmed on Wednesday.
The head coach refused to go into details of Williams' holdout.