The San Francisco 49ers recently announced that they have renewed contract extension negotiations with Second Team All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. While Aiyuk himself seemed to negate the optimism that this brought fans, the ongoing soap opera between San Francisco and the wide receiver continues to entertain with its unexpected twists and turns.
For months, the media and fans speculated that the 49ers would eventually trade Aiyuk, who wants upwards of $30 million a year on his next contract. San Francisco, however, had held firm to their belief that they would be able to come to an agreement (they reportedly offered $26 million a season).
Recently, though, Aiyuk formerly requested a trade, and the 49ers gave him permission to negotiate possible contract extensions with other teams.
San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Already Rejected a Trade to the New England Patriots
Earlier this week, it was reported that the New England Patriots had made a trade offer to the 49ers that the team really liked. Furthermore, they were willing to give Aiyuk an incredible $32 million annual salary. This would have made him one of the top three highest-paid wide receivers in the game.
The problem, though, was that Aiyuk does not want to play for New England. Apparently, he has concerns with the level of quarterback play the Patriots have. After sending Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this offseason, the Patriots drafted Drake Maye with the third overall pick and signed journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
It is worth noting that no team has reportedly offered Aiyuk as New England did. Apparently, he still wants to play for a contender.
San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Rejected a Trade to the Cleveland Browns Involving Amari Cooper
According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, the 49ers had a trade agreement in place with the Cleveland Browns that would have netted them Amari Cooper. However, Aiyuk does not want to play for Cleveland:
“The 49ers worked out a deal with the Browns in which they would acquire veteran receiver Amari Cooper, as well as second- and fifth-round draft picks for Aiyuk.”
As seen above, San Francisco also would have gotten a second and fifth-round draft pick.
So where does this leave the 49ers? If Aiyuk wants a trade, he has to agree to which team he goes to or else that organization will face the same situation the New York Jets are with Haason Reddick. That is, they traded for him, but he is holding out.
The Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers are two teams that Aiyuk previously mentioned he could see himself playing for, and the Steelers remain a team that is rumored to still be interested.
But the list of teams is running out.
The fact of the matter is that both Aiyuk and San Francisco have horribly misplayed the entire situation. San Francisco, in particular, had offers for the disgruntled wide receiver all the way back leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Had they taken any of those deals, they would not be in this situation and would have had at least another first round pick this year.
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