The San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have been deadlocked in their contract negotiations for quite some time. From the moment the 49ers lost Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs, Aiyuk has made it clear that he will not play for them without a new deal. Prior to last season, San Francisco had picked up his fifth-year option, which will pay him $14.1 million this season.
Aiyuk made $12.5 million combined in his first four seasons with the 49ers.
The wide receiver market has exploded this offseason, thanks in large part to the Minnesota Vikings giving Justin Jefferson $35 million a year for the next four seasons. While Aiyuk is not looking to be paid as much as Jefferson, he is looking for something similar to what the Detroit Lions gave Amon-Ra St. Brown: $30 million a year.
The San Francisco 49ers and Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Are Not Close to a Contract Agreement
Aiyuk, as mentioned, made it clear from the start of the offseason that he would not play for the 49ers again unless he got a new contract. Trade talks between him and the organization were so negative leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft that many thought he would be traded.
Of course, he was not. General manager John Lynch said at the time that he believed that the two sides would be able to come to some kind of an understanding.
That has not happened.
In the weeks and months that have followed, tensions have continued to increase between Aiyuk and the front office. Earlier this summer, Aiyuk even said in an interview that he could see himself playing for the Washington Commanders or Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. He even told Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that the 49ers had told him that they did not want him anymore.
Still, no trade occurred. When training camp started, Aiyuk showed up to avoid being fined, but is refusing to participate in any practices.
Despite rumors that the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns have emerged as the top two contenders to land the All-Pro wide receiver via trade, a new report indicates that Aiyuk has a different team in mind.
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Brandon Aiyuk Wants to Be Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers
According to NFL insider Cam Marino, one of Aiyuk’s early preferred teams have emerged as the one to which he wants to be traded. Per a post of his on X (formerly Twitter) account, Aiyuk has narrowed his focus to the Steelers:
Though things remain fluid between the Brandon Aiyuk camp, the 49ers and their trade partners, the Steelers have been gaining traction as Aiyuk’s preferred destination, I’m told. Despite stronger offers from other teams, Pittsburgh has emerged as a real option. pic.twitter.com/UcFLbASwEx
— Cam Marino (@MarinoNFL) August 5, 2024
Of course, the Steelers would have to pay Aiyuk what he wants if he were to take the field for them after any potential trade. Otherwise, Pittsburgh may find themselves in the same position the New York Jets are in with Haason Reddick, who is holding out after being acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles.
At this point, it is unclear what the 49ers could expect in return for Aiyuk now that training camp has started. However, any kind of draft compensation may be worth having a resolution to the drama.
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