San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch understands the importance of having Brandon Aiyuk on the roster for the 2024 season as the star receiver continues his hold-in waiting for a resolution to his contract standoff.

Appearing on KNBR’s Murph and Markus show on Friday (h/t Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk), Lynch explained the 49ers “feel the urgency” to keep Aiyuk:

“I can tell you this: It’s been a long, arduous, hard process, our journey. We started this early and, for whatever reason, haven’t been able to get it across the finish line. That’s been frustrating. But the communication, still, has been really good, both with Brandon and his agent, and we’re trying to figure out solutions. I’m always hopeful. I’m an optimistic person [in] nature, and so I’m always hopeful that we’ll get there and get there soon. I can tell you we feel the urgency to have him. The season’s approaching, and we have ample time.”

Lynch did note the two sides are still talking, but he didn’t want to “characterize any chances or anything” about when a deal might happen.

Aiyuk has been holding in since the 49ers opened training camp. The move allows him to be around the team as they prepare for the regular season without getting fined, but he has yet to participate in any official team activities.

It seems like the options for Aiyuk at this point are down to the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots were previously reported to have interest in trading for the 26-year-old wideout, but they don’t seem to be involved anymore.

On the Aug. 9 episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 7:25 mark), The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Aiyuk rejected a trade to the Patriots due to concerns about their quarterback situation even though they were willing to pay him a deal around $32 million per season.

NBC Sports Matt Maiocco reported on Aug. 9 that Aiyuk also turned down a trade to the Browns that would have sent Amari Cooper and two 2025 draft picks to San Francisco.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 49ers and Steelers have agreed to trade parameters for Aiyuk and a deal is “one phone call away” if San Francisco wants to make a move.

However, Fowler noted the Niners are trying to work out a long-term extension with Aiyuk and they don’t want to deal him. He will earn $14.1 million this season, the final year of his rookie contract.

It’s understandable why the 49ers don’t want to make a rash trade decision involving Aiyuk. He has established himself as an essential piece for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

Aiyuk earned All-Pro second-team honors in 2023 after recording a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and ranking second in the NFL with 17.9 yards per catch.