The San Francisco 49ers’ offseason has been overshadowed by a contract dispute with All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
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After many of the league’s top wide receivers earned massive extensions — and as Aiyuk enters the final year of his rookie contract — the 49ers receiver wants to be paid like the rising star he is.
The 49ers and Aiyuk haven’t been able to reach an agreement on any extension, leading Aiyuk to formally request a trade last month. However, the 49ers were adamant they weren’t going to move him, and to this point, they’ve stayed true to their word.
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Last week, though, reports circulated that the 49ers had potential deals in place with the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers for Aiyuk. Then, reports came out that the Patriots and Browns were out of the running, and it was just down to the Steelers. Still, no trade came to fruition.
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. The Aiyuk saga appears to be nearing its conclusion.
Perry Knotts/Getty Images
On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided the latest update on the Aiyuk saga, which suggests the situation could be nearing its conclusion.
“The Steelers and 49ers have a deal on a potential trade and Pittsburgh is in a good place on an Aiyuk contract, sources say,” Rapoport wrote. “If San Francisco gives the final sign-off, it’s done.”
However, that’s not the only path, per Rapaport. “San Francisco has an offer out to Aiyuk on a long-term deal for him to stay. He hasn’t accepted.”
Update on Brandon Aiyuk:
— The Steelers and #49ers have a deal on a potential trade and PIT is in a good place on an Aiyuk contract, sources say. If SF gives the final sign-off, it’s done.
— SF has an offer out to Aiyuk on a long-term deal for him to stay. He hasn’t accepted. pic.twitter.com/ZepVTfv4Nj— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2024
It sounds like the ball is in Aiyuk’s court to potentially accept the 49ers’ offer of a long-term extension. If he doesn’t like the offer, though, he could reject the deal. The 49ers would then likely be forced to send him to Pittsburgh.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini added that the Steelers have been “waiting for days” to hear from the 49ers and that the team is in “wait and see mode.”
Aiyuk is coming off a 2023 season in which he caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors this past season.
Aiyuk was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s consistently improved in each of his four seasons and now wants to be paid before entering a contract year.
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