Ravens' Brandon Aiyuk dreams take massive hit as agent swats down trade rumors

The Baltimore Ravens are perpetually on the lookout for wide receivers who could improve Lamar Jackson's passing attack. After the Stefon Diggs trade, the best player with a nonzero chance of being traded still on the market is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

After the best season of his four-year career with the franchise tag looming after the 2024 season, Aiyuk has put out feelers indicating that he would like a new contract. With San Francisco paying a ton of stars on both sides of the ball and a possible Brock Purdy deal coming in the future, Aiyuk may not get the deal he wants.

Twitter was set ablaze early on Sunday morning, as "John Frascella" showed his lack of reliability as an insider by claiming Aiyuk requested a trade. Ravens fans were psyched up by the report, as Baltimore was mentioned as one of the teams looking at Aiyuk with great interest.

Ryan Williams, Aiyuk's agent, took a blowtorch to Frascella, denying the rumor by saying that he needs "better sources." It looks as though any possibility of Aiyuk playing for Baltimore will be put on the backburner, which could be a great disappoinment to fans who wanted to make a big splash.

Baltimore Ravens' Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors quelled by agent

The Ravens have one quality receiver in Zay Flowers, but everything after that is a big question mark. Baltimore is hoping that Rashod Bateman, veteran receiver Nelson Agholor, and a possible pick in the 2024 NFL Draft will be good enough for Jackson to replicate his MVP season from the 2023 campaign.

If the Ravens were to acquire Aiyuk, he could be the best receiver Jackson has ever thrown to in his Baltimore career. Fresh off tallying 75 catches, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns in his fourth season with the 49ers, Aiyuk is one of the best players in the league when it comes to making plays as a ball-carrier.

Aiyuk would not only cost some very enticing draft capital to acquire, but he is in the mood for a contract that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the league at his position. Baltimore had some hurdles to overcome if they wanted to get Aiyuk in the building, and it seems less likely now that his agent has put out very public statements trying to minimize any talk of him being unhappy.

If something changes in the next few weeks, however, Eric DeCosta needs to be ready to get on the phone.