Total Pro Sports
Three San Francisco 49ers legends were reportedly seen talking to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk at minicamp on Wednesday.
Brandon Aiyuk’s name has popped up frequently in trade rumors this offseason, despite signing a four-year extension worth $120 million last year. Back in March, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the 49ers were open to trading the All-Pro receiver.
According to 49ers reporter Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated, Aiyuk was talking to Hall of Famer Terrell Owens during Wednesday’s minicamp session. Cohn reports that Owens “lectured” Aiyuk for 15 minutes, with fellow 49er legends Patrick Willis and Frank Gore also present for the discussion.
Cohn isn’t sure what the conversation was about, but he did point out that Brandon Aiyuk posted this memorable photo of Owens on his Instagram story last week:
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk posted this photo on his Instagram story.
For those who don't know this story: In August of 2005, as Terrell Owens was looking for a new contract, Andy Reid suspended him after the two got into an argument at Eagles training camp.
That same day, TO then… pic.twitter.com/PBqNRNaeio
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) June 3, 2025
Cohn emphasized that the discussion between Aiyuk and the three 49ers icons is up for debate, but he wondered if Owens was trying to help the 27-year-old amid ongoing trade speculation.
Instant analysis of Day 2 of 49ers minicamp, a practice I actually attended and watched in person. pic.twitter.com/nv2d5xca5o
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) June 11, 2025
Owens played for the 49ers from 1996 to 2003, forming one of the league’s all-time great WR duos with Jerry Rice to begin his career. Willis, also a Hall of Famer, spent his entire eight-year career (2007 to 2014) with San Fran before injuries prompted him to retire early.
Gore, a lock for Canton, spent the first 10 of his 16 NFL seasons with the 49ers (2005 to 2014) and helped them to a Super Bowl 47 appearance.
At the end of the day, the ideal solution is for Aiyuk and the 49ers to work out any differences and get on the same page for 2025. The 49ers are already down one All-Pro wide receiver, having traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason.
With the 49ers in win-now mode, it only makes sense to keep Aiyuk and bank on him staying healthy and regaining his All-Pro form.
