By Dianna Russini, Matt Barrows and David Lombardi
According to a league source who spoke with The Athletic on Friday, the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk’s agent have begun contract negotiations.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are regarded as one of the leading contenders for Aiyuk’s services, and the 49ers have spent a significant portion of this week exploring the possibility of trading their top receiver. However, a league source claims that the 49ers have not contacted the Steelers in the past 24 hours.
Since any trade by San Francisco would need the acquiring team to sign Aiyuk to a new deal, the 49ers had given Aiyuk freedom to speak with other teams. A report published on Monday by NBC Sports Bay Area stated that the 49ers had consented to the terms of trade agreements with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
The 49ers have not been happy with the Steelers’ trade proposals up to this point. According to league sources, they are open to players at other positions but would prefer to acquire a receiver in any trade.
I texted a front office executive:
Q: Why do you think the 49ers aren’t calling back the Steelers?
A: They will probably hold off as long as they can.Make someone blink. It seems that they are genuinely averse to trading. Perhaps hoping that someone else will arrive. It is all quite bizarre.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 9, 2024
Why would the 49ers have permitted their best wide receiver to pursue trade talks and negotiations with other teams? One explanation is that the squad used it as a tactical maneuver to get out of their own impasse with Aiyuk.
His recent meeting with team officials implies that, if such is the case, it might be effective. Aiyuk was given the opportunity to speak with organizations like the Browns, Patriots, and Steelers, which gave him a clear understanding of his target market. According to reports, the Patriots were prepared to offer him a $32 million annual salary. However, Aiyuk might not have wanted to collaborate with Drake Maye, a rookie quarterback, given that New England is currently rebuilding. The Patriots have withdrawn from the Aiyuk competition.
Beyond this season, the quarterback situation for the Browns remains uncertain. The Pittsburgh Steelers? Aiyuk appeared more likely to go there, but the 49ers have not been satisfied with Pittsburgh’s trade compensation until to this time. There have even been rumors that the Steelers were not offering the 49ers as much money over the course of the deal as they were. This has resulted in a resumption of discussions with San Francisco.
The 49ers might not be able to offer as much money as New England or other clubs, despite having more highly compensated players on its roster than any other football team. However, they still have him under contract because they think he has intrinsic value from playing for a title contender that features a budding quarterback in Brock Purdy and a wealth of All-Pros.
This is probably also Aiyuk’s opinion, at least in part. And if the 49ers decide against cutting him, he will not have many options. Because of this, there was always a good potential that the conversation would pick back up, as it has.
(Photo: Ryan Kang / Getty Images)
