SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has provided a significant update on the team’s plans for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk that should excite football fans on the west coast.

Aiyuk had the fifth-year option on his rookie deal picked up last year, so the 2020 first-round pick is now eligible for a contract extension. Aiyuk’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors since the club’s Super Bowl 58 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, with his girlfriend recently hinting on social media that he could play elsewhere in 2024:

But while speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Lynch made it clear that the 49ers’ goal is to work out an extension with their speedy wideout.

“Brandon’s one that we think incredibly highly of,” Lynch said. “We’ve got a nice track record of extending the players that are important to us. And Brandon’s a guy we want to keep around for a long time.”

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As Lynch noted in this press conference, the salary cap is also going up significantly in 2024 (by over $30 million). That obviously benefits all 32 teams, especially a team against the cap like the 49ers who are in win-now mode.

The soon-to-be 26-year-old Aiyuk racked up 75 receptions for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. In three postseason games, he tallied nine receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown.

It’s hard to make the case that the 49ers and Aiyuk would benefit from a change of scenery. He has emerged as the team’s No. 1 wideout with Deebo Samuel battling injuries the last two years, and there’s no guarantee that Aiyuk would fare better outside of Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

So judging by Lynch’s latest comments, 49ers fans should take comfort in knowing that they want to work on an extension for their superstar pass-catcher, not trade him.