The Brandon Aiyuk saga with the San Francisco 49ers has dragged on for weeks.
Monday represented a crescendo as Aiyuk’s quest for a new contract appeared to reach a crescendo.
One rumor earlier in the day, that the 49ers had a deal in place to send Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers, never came to fruition.
More news: 49ers Don’t Have Trade in Place for Brandon Aiyuk, Despite Reports
Later in the day, however, longtime 49ers beat reporter Matt Maiocco reported the team had the “framework” of an Aiyuk trade in place with two teams: the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
Maiocco, citing an anonymous league source, reports “it’s up to Aiyuk to determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises.”
Michael Owens/Getty Images
The report also notes that the 49ers gave Aiyuk permission to negotiate potential contracts with the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers, in addition to the Browns and Patriots. However, the Commanders and Steelers appear to be out of the running.
Aiyuk requested a trade from the 49ers after negotiations with the receiver stalled. The team did reportedly offer Aiyuk a contract in the $26 million per year range, but that was not enough.
The All-Pro wideout would send wide receiver Amari Cooper to San Francisco, according to Cleveland.com. Maiocco reports New England would include former 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne as part of the deal if Aiyuk were to accept the Pats’ offer.
Aiyuk, 26, has led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards each of the last two seasons. In 2024 he was named second-team AP All-Pro after catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
Last month, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that teams who reached out were told the 49ers “had no intention” of honoring Aiyuk’s trade request.
Now, with Aiyuk effectively staging a “hold-in” — reporting to training camp but not participating in on-field drills — time has become a more critical factor as the 49ers attempt to prepare for the preseason. Their first exhibition game is Saturday against the Tennessee Titans.
If the 49ers were willing to meet Aiyuk’s asking price, chances are it would have happened by now.
Instead, it appears Aiyuk will begin the 2024 season in a new uniform for the first time in his fifth professional season.
The 49ers chose Aiyuk with the 25th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then he’s amassed 3,931 receiving yards in 62 games (60 starts) over the last four seasons, an average of 63.4 yards per game. He’s also caugh 24 passes for 393 yards across nine postseason games in his career with San Francisco.