Brandon Aiyuk’s time in San Francisco may not be over yet.
Aiyuk’s future with the reigning NFC champions has been uncertain since he requested a trade after failing to negotiate a long-term contract extension this offseason. Teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the All-Pro receiver.
Then came Friday, when NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the 49ers “have made a renewed effort in recent days to reach a long-term deal” with Aiyuk. Pelissero also reported that the situation is fluid, with teams like the Steelers still looking to trade. Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract, in which the Niners will pay him $14.1 million.
The #49ers have made another attempt to reach a long-term deal with WR Brandon Aiyuk in recent days, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.
The situation is fluid, with other teams, including Pittsburgh, still in the mix, but a return to SF is looking increasingly likely.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 9, 2024
Aiyuk himself responded vaguely to an Instagram post containing Pelissero’s report, which at least raises some doubt as to whether there is as much positive momentum as Pelissero suggests.
The Cleveland Browns are also reportedly interested in a deal for Aiyuk, but wide receiver Amari Cooper (another piece of the puzzle) didn’t seem to have a problem with that in an Instagram post.
Aiyuk’s future with the franchise began to cloud after the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, with Aiyuk’s girlfriend posting a message on social media suggesting he might not return.
In late March, 49ers general manager John Lynch announced that there were no plans to trade Aiyuk and that the two sides were working on a contract extension. Just a month later, the 49ers drafted receiver Ricky Pearsall, seemingly prepared for the possibility of losing Aiyuk.
In mid-June, Aiyuk told former teammate and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels that “they don’t want me back,” with “they” referring to the Niners. A month later, Aiyuk formally requested a trade.
Aiyuk began his hold-in strategy in late July to try to close a deal, choosing to attend meetings but not participating in workouts once training camp began.
The New England Patriots were reportedly in the Aiyuk sweepstakes at one point. But they recently dropped out of the race after Aiyuk reportedly showed no interest in going to New England. Likewise, the Steelers have not held trade talks with the San Francisco 49ers in the past 24 hours, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Aiyuk has steadily increased his production each season since being drafted in 2020. He has been a key part of San Francisco’s offense over the past two seasons, posting back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving.
Last season was the best of Aiyuk’s career, as he had a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns en route to a second-team All-Pro nod.
Whether Aiyuk stays with the 49ers or moves elsewhere, his impact will be significant. As a route runner, his flexibility and body control are things that stand out when compared to others at the position. His 17.8 yards per reception were the best in the NFL last season, and our routes showcase his speed and athleticism. His value comes from his versatility and malleability to do just about anything a top receiver needs to do on a team.
Aiyuk isn’t the only top receiver who has sat out training camp to earn a massive payday. The Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase are also seeking long-term contract extensions commensurate with their production. With Vikings star Justin Jefferson setting the bar for wide receiver contract extensions with a $35 million annual salary, other top pass catchers are looking to earn a similar amount.
It appears, at least through Friday, that Aiyuk has a better chance of doing that in San Francisco than we thought.
