9:45pm: Following reports from earlier this evening that trade talks for Brandon Aiyuk were heating up, it sounds like the 49ers have found a pair of worthy offers. Per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers have established “the framework” of an Aiyuk trade with both the Browns and Patriots. Maiocco also notes that the Commanders have removed themselves from the sweepstakes.
Now, the ball is in the player’s court to decide if he’ll accept the extension offers from either squad. We heard last month that the player’s agent was granted permission to sniff around on potential long-term deals.
While the Patriots would presumably look to entice the 49ers with draft compensation, the Browns are offering an immediate replacement for Aiyuk. Per May Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns would dangle Amari Cooper in a potential deal with San Francisco.
6:45pm: Nearly three weeks after Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade and nearly two weeks after the wideout started staging a hold-in, there’s been no progress in contract talks between the star receiver and the 49ers. While an extension seems to be the unlikeliest outcome in this saga, it sounds like the organization is making progress on potential trades.
According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, “multiple teams” have contacted the 49ers about an Aiyuk trade. Barrows adds that talks “heated up again recently,” although no deal is imminent. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported today that it’s more likely Aiyuk will be traded vs. signing a new contract with San Francisco.
We heard last month that at least five teams had shown a willingness to pay Aiyuk what he’s seeking, so it’s not a major development that these teams subsequently made a phone call to the 49ers. The organization hasn’t been willing to budge on their $26-$27MM-per-year price range, and Aiyuk has been tied to wanting a deal at or around $30MM and guarantees that come in around A.J. Brown‘s $84MM.
A third scenario will continue to remain in play: the two sides decide to play out the 2024 campaign before dealing with the franchise tag next offseason. This is probably the organization’s preferred route unless they’re able to acquire a useful player in their trade haul. On the flip side, we heard that Aiyuk is still pushing his “pay-me-or-trade-me” stance, so unless this ordeal ends in a trade, one of the two sides is going to have to blink.
Aiyuk attended training camp but has watched from the sideline for the past two weeks. Barrows notes that the player has attended meetings but hasn’t actually taken the field for any practices. In the meantime, it sounds like the two sides are struggling to bridge the gap, and if the 49ers are actively listening to offers for the wideout, it should only be a matter of time before a trade is completed.
UGH! I’m starting to think Aiyuk will end up with more PFR updates than career touchdowns.
Have to give you credit, that is damn funny. It’s also funny because its true.
Did a search and PFR has 37 post after the first mention of his 5th year option in April after the draft. Randy Moss currently holds the single-season touchdown receptions record with 23 in 2007.
Niners going to need the money for others so get what ya can then move on – already drafted a kid to take his place.
Aiyuk was never a favorite with the 49er coaching staff, thus I suspect that is why they drafted his replacement this off-season. The 49ers should trade him to somebody who is sure to stink this year that can offer up a serviceable replacement they can use in 2024 in addition to just the usual high round pick(s). Someone like Denver or New England would be ideal.
The 49ers like players over 30 so New England can’t offer them anything. Denver has a veteran in Tim Patrick but I don’t know if they would want to deal him.
The Wilson cap situation kind of nukes the Denver possibility. While Aiyuk seems like a Nix type player, and while he seems suited to some of what Payton likes to do, I don’t think that Denver can afford his compensation.
As for Patrick, he’s barely played recently. He was good when he did, but it was also in a very different scheme with a very different QB (or several). He’s a different player than what Shanahan normally likes-Shanahan seems allergic to bigger or taller receivers, especially those who aren’t YAC generators-but Patrick was a legitimately useful weapon when he did play, which of course was pre-injury. I think that Denver would trade him if the opportunity arose, but given Patrick’s recent history, I don’t know whether teams would offer anything that would be worth more than just keeping him.
“Aiyuk was never a favorite of the 49ers coaching staff.”
Absolutely 100% lie. Just the opposite is true in fact. There are many cases over the years of coaches praising him for his work ethic. You literally just made up a baseless lie that is very easy to disprove. What kind of clown does something line that?
I don’t think that it’s true now, but Aiyuk was definitely reported as being in the supposed “doghouse” in his rookie year. Since then, I’d agree with you that he’s been very well regarded, and the staff obviously trusts him given the amount of targets that he’s received.
What I don’t is why you’re so incensed by some of these comments. You seem pretty upset by a few posts, here, and I can’t figure out why. Disagree, sure, but getting so worked up is a bit much, isn’t it?
Never believe what an NFL coach tells you, watch what he DOES.
Kyle Shannahan should be most proud of the player he has become. This team has helped him achieve so much as far as growth. I think this author is holding on to year one drama in preseason. Shame
Terrible take. Kid is clutch. Go to guy on 3rd down. Trust me.
The irony here is, if compensation is the biggest hold-up, I can almost guarantee the Steelers could have closed the deal if Dionte Johnson was still on the roster as part of a trade package.
Didn’t he require a new contract, it wouldn’t have been near the top but I don’t think 9rs would have paid him either. He also drops a good amount of passes.
He is signed through 2024. Cap number would have worked. Basically the 49ers have the money this year, but won’t next year so his contract would have worked. They could have moved on when Purdy gets paid but Ricky Pearsal will be more developed. Plus likely get mid-round draft pick compensation for Johnson leaving as well. He wouldn’t be the only thing required in a trade either.
Commanders are calling his name
once again a “latest on” article that provides no new updates. Ben Levine….you suck
Easy man.
Its a rumor website.
Cbs is actually running a similar article.
so does Profootballtalk, ESPN and their shows, Rich Eisen, McAfee.
It is the off season, you talk about contracts and extensions. If a top player is holding out 4 weeks before the season it will be talked about every day.
Sure….but I’d there’s no update then there is nothing new. Let the headline reflect the article.
I read a few details. They were new, if not groundbreaking. I think that Levine did a fine job covering the news as it stands today. Sometimes no news is news, if a deadline of some kind could be approaching.
Make him play or give up the 14 million via hold out. They are trying to win a super bowl, not please everybody who thinks they need a raise before they play out the deal they signed.
Yes making someone do something allllways works and builds great moral….
He also had no choice but to sign that deal because it is his drafted deal… Not like Trent Williams situation. Aiyuk was in the Shanahan “Doghouse” at one point maybe he is just giving it right back to them.
Well, he f’d around and is going to to end up living in Cleveland playing meaningless football with no chance to win anything of significance.
Browns made the playoffs last year despite having a ton of injuries including QB…they are good enough.
well do you want a ring or not? browns and pats aren’t winning one. I could be wrong cuz it’s football but the 9ers are your best shot in that aspect where things stand now. Do you want to win or not? That used to be what it was about. and there’s only a 3 mil difference in salary, not sure on the guaranteed money so there’s that as well
I think fans have always cared way more about winning than players. Getting a fat contract is winning in life too.
We see players lose rings or auction them. Yes the memory of winning is nice too but they made the league after working their whole life.
Three million dollars is a big difference, Mike. I never fault players for wanting the most money because a football career is short for most guys, and it could end at any time.
I don’t fault players for wanting to get paid, but I do think that sometimes they are trading away years of their lives for money they will never spend.
When the GM and owners stop cutting guys before there contract is up is when guys will stop asking for more money. Owners be like I’ll cut you because your playing bad or don’t want to pay it thats ok? But When a player is playing well and ask for a raise that’s wrong?
I heard radio talking Amari Cooper and Aiyuk swap. Doesn’t pallet the same but I like Cooper. Don’t love the guy.
Hard to believe the Steelers are not in on trade talks. Money would be the only issue since they’d be willing to trade 1st’s to SF.
But Amari Cooper is currently holding out too…you are going to have to pay him I guess the deal you offered Aiyuk? Does not make sense.
Cooper isn’t holding out anymore
Been saying for a while that he would be a patriot
Only trades I see the niners making is for Cooper and a 2nd, or for scary Terry straight up. The latter isn’t happening. Cooper wants more money too. That means the pats is the last option, so Brandon you aren’t going anywhere
Oh fellows, I can’t wait to see what everyone says when y’all see what he actually get traded for .. nobody pays the premium for a distressed asset..Too many factors, New face/place/system , new expectations,pay quality draft capital (cost controlled players) just to hand out a top of the market contract .. he just pulled the most “me first” move (from a tier A team no less) and now he’s supposed to be “all in” for 9-8 …
Stranger things have happened.. but we’ll see
GymnasticCapMasterish • 13 hours ago
Oh fellows, I can’t wait to see what everyone says when y’all see what he actually get traded for .. nobody pays the premium for a distressed asset..
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I think when you say that everyone will be surprised, you should offer up what you think he will get traded for, assuming he gets traded.
Fair enough… 90% sure he gets traded (his teammates are already turning on him)
And as far as the return, I’m gonna say a conditional 3rd (like could be a 2nd based on blah blah) or a 3rd and 5th for Ayiuk and 4th
I can’t muster much sympathy for a player who is offered $26MM and still feels distressed.
ShanaLynch really messed this up. They could have had him for $23 million a year last season when he was having a career year. Every smart Niners fan knew WR prices were going to go up. So now they won’t have BA and still need a RT. ShanaLynch will never win a Super Bowl
He obviously wants to either be a Steeler or a Commander & both teams know this. That is why they are sticking to their guns & not caving to the ridiculous 49er demands.
From everything I have gathered the Steelers have an extension worked out that Aiyuk is comfortable with and the only hold up is the compensation going back to the Niners. Aiyuk holds all the cards no way any team is trading for him without an extension
He is not signing an extension with just any tram
So it’s a waiting game
If it is really down to the Browns & Pats the deal woulda been made already
Aiyuk wants either Commanders or Steelers but the Niners want better compensation which either team is not willing to give up
My prediction he goes to the Steelers for a 2nd & a 4th with possibly James Daniels thrown in to get it over the finish line.
Omar stick to your guns although I want BA I don’t want to lose a 1st to get him
A 2nd and a 4th. Haha
Texans
Diggs
Next years first
2026 3rd
New era in Foxboro if the Pats trade many draft picks and also sign a WR to a 3-4 year, $30 million per year guaranteed contract.
He’s hardly better than Bourne is. He’s good, but not elite.
lol
The Niners know him. And they don’t think he’s worth it.
Not sure why people are lining up to argue with them.
It might be more about future cap space than if they think he is worth it or not. They have a Purdy extension coming up. Also, he is better than what a lot of teams have so of course someone is willing to pay a premium for him.
The Niners have the best player in football at like five positions and have to pay their QB next year. It’s less a question of worth it than a question of not being able to afford him.
OK, but…DC’s guard Samuel first and him second, so…same conclusion.
Not treating him as elite when no current evidence supports it.
Maybe he’ll go elsewhere and be the #1 guy and still thrive, but…not paying the picks or money as if he is one without that proof because maybe he won’t.
He’s been the true X receiver in that offense, the leading target, and their main third down weapon. He gets great separation and is one of the best in the league against press coverage. Given that he was in a stacked offense with a low-volume passing attack, there’s nothing more he could have done to show that he’s a true number one.
The Niners know him. And they don’t think he’s worth it.
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Like everyone else says, this is likely more about future cap crunches that it is about Aiyuk.
Judon to niners Aiyuk to pats, fills a need for each team.
Time for the Niners to move on from Aiyuk and Trent Williams……On the latest “Cheatsheet” Aiyuk is rated as the 13th wide receiver…even though Williams is “irreplaceable” they have sufficient depth to cover his loss.
First of all the 49ers are not trading Williams. No matter how many clowns try to speak it into existence it isn’t even a consideration. Why would they do that? He’s the best player at one of the most important positions in the league on a team that is the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl. It’s not even close to logical and anyone who says it just reveals how clueless they are. Also they don’t have a ton of depth a tackle whatsoever. When Trent was out last year the offensive looked very average. Get some facts and then come talk.
As a Steelers fan, one might draw the conclusion that I’d be upset if Aiyuk went to the Browns but actually, I would love it. I would love to see them lock their future payroll up in two players, one of which hasn’t exactly lived up to his obscene payday as it is! Add the current any any expected future compensation to Garrett and you’ve got a real chance at having to figure out how to the rest of the team with enough cap space to barely pay the same as your beer vendor. Either that, or defer everything for the next 30 years!
Trade him.
The next Agreement needs to have a penalty for pulling this nonsense in the final year of a rookie contract. Maybe something like the option to extended hold-out/in contracts another year at the contract’s rate NOT the positional tag rate.
… but that’s another debate; regarding Aiyuk: trade him
He’s helped me to back to back championships so while I’d prefer Detroit or Indianapolis, I hope it’s the Giants or Tampa or Vegas.
Send him from WR Utopia to WR Hades
Do you feel equally as strongly that teams shouldn’t be able to cut players without paying them every penny of the contract? If you do, then I don’t have any issues with your stance. If not, then I’m going to need you to explain to me why a contract should be binding for one side, but not the other.
Yes, Pats need a #1 WR but LT is the real need.
If Aiyuk gets traded to Cleveland I may be inclined to protect him for my Fantasy team this year. Otherwise I won’t protect anyone and likely have the 4th overall pick in my league, which should provide me the opportunity to pick up Bijan Robinson, Aman Ra St Brown, Saquan Barkley or Jonathan Taylor. I believe these would be better options but interested in any feedback. Thanks
There is a ton of WR depth. Take a RB.
The Pats need to shore up their Oline before overpaying/trading too much draft capital for a good, not elite WR.