8:15pm: The Steelers are now waiting on the 49ers to see if an agreement can still be reached, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. A main reason for the hold up, he adds, is the fact San Francisco wants a receiver as part of the package in return. Pittsburgh is not able to meet that request, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds the 49ers are “open” to taking back players at another position. It will be interesting to see if that flexibility will keep the door open to an Aiyuk swap being worked out.
8:41am: One of the most discussed receiver offseasons this side of Antonio Brown‘s 2019, the Brandon Aiyuk saga remains in a holding pattern. The second-team All-Pro is still a 49er, holding in as he angles for a contract that — for now, at least — San Francisco has deemed unreasonable.
While the Patriots are believed to have prepared a big extension offer as they and the Browns discussed the disgruntled wideout with the 49ers, the Steelers have re-emerged. Although the Steelers have traded the likes of Brown, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Santonio Holmes, they are not known for splashy trades that bring in pass catchers. But they are still in the Aiyuk mix.
A Wednesday report indicated Aiyuk is interested in joining the Steelers, but they may not be offering what would be necessary on either front here. As far as Pittsburgh’s offers (in terms of trade compensation and extension-wise), Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes neither are overly high. The trade offer appealing to the 49ers would not stand to make the latter number matter much to the NFC West club, as the John Lynch-led front office has negotiated with Aiyuk for months. No real progress is believed to have emerged, pointing to San Francisco establishing a clear value on its 2023 receiving leader.
The Steelers are not believed to be interested in sending the 49ers any players for Aiyuk, though they do have a recent history of parting with a first-round pick in a trade. Pittsburgh sent Miami its 2020 first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick — in a trade that also sent picks back to the Steelers — early during the 2019 season. That came under GM Kevin Colbert, who was a bit more hesitant about outside acquisitions compared to successor Omar Khan. The latter was in Pittsburgh’s front office when Fitzpatrick was acquired.
An extension represents the key difference between the Fitzpatrick move and what an Aiyuk swap would require. The Steelers would need to not only part with high-end draft capital to obtain Aiyuk and would also need to work out a monster extension — almost definitely one that would make the fifth-year player a top-five receiver in terms of AAV and guarantees — as part of the deal or soon after. The 49ers’ known offer(s) have come in around the $26-$27MM-per-year mark, prompting this hold-in. It is unclear what San Francisco has proposed in terms of guaranteed money, though Aiyuk is believed to be angling for an A.J. Brown-level commitment. The Eagles gave Brown $84MM guaranteed in April; only Justin Jefferson ($110MM) has topped that.
Pittsburgh’s Johnson trade has cleared the decks on offense; no Steeler offensive talent is tied to an eight-figure-per-year contract. Pat Freiermuth is on the team’s extension radar, however, and George Pickens will become extension-eligible in 2025. Although the Steelers do not have a notable quarterback number on their payroll, Pickens is moving close to becoming quite expensive. That would stand to complicate a monster Aiyuk extension offer.
The 49ers would likely need to see an eye-opening trade proposal to part with a player who can help them win an elusive Super Bowl. Amari Cooper being mentioned in a Browns swap would intrigue on that front, but the Steelers have dominated Aiyuk trade talk since the Cleveland connection surfaced. Absent difference-making trade terms, the 49ers may well play this out and keep Aiyuk on his fifth-year option — with a tag-and-trade move in 2025 conceivably on the table as well. We continue to wait on anything happening here.
This dude wants AJ Brown money?! Hahahaha they don’t even belong in the same sentence. AJ is a million times better than this guy, this is becoming more and more comical
Those extra 53 targets do help in the statistical department, don’t they?
And the difference between the 2 over the last 2 years really isn’t that much. I agree that BA isn’t worth that money, but neither was AJ Brown.
219 targets for Aiyuk to 303 targets for Brown isn’t much?
This is the problem with modern fandom of the NFL. Everyone only reverts to stats constantly, and numbers can tell any story depending on how you position it. It just shows your lack of knowledge of the game. AJ Brown is the second best receiver in the NFL. Go watch them both live and tell me I’m wrong. They’re not even close
Second best receiver hahahahah, thanks for the laugh
AJ Brown is not the 2nd best WR in the NFL.
But he’s certainly better than Aiyuk.
In what way is he better? I’d love an explanation
Aiyuk is a better blocker has better hands better in open space. Better route runner. Where do you see he’s better?
I was agreeing with you…. maybe don’t immediately look to argue with someone and read the situation.
Commenter was replying to paulk-2.
I’d like to push back on KC33’s argument but still chuckling about:
“everyone only reverts to stats constantly,”
How might a human might type that intentionally?
Or rather, how can everyone always constantly speak or type like that?
I was responding to paulk too. This comment system just sucks and puts every comment at the end.
I can agree AJ is better but not that much better come on! Aiyuk doesn’t get WR1 targets share and still got over 1300 yards and almost 5000 yards in 4 years!
It’s funny because people said exactly this kind of thing about AJ Brown before he was traded.
Trying to reach a post quota? Shouldn’t this have just been an update of the previous post that was on the same exact subject?
“Did you just start watching sports? It’s the offseason there no much to talk about so you get click bait stories that say the same thing. Like all the ones we’ve gotten about Dak and the cowboys that say nothing at all. Don’t like it? Then go watch a sport in season like baseball”
– OGkush
Uhh reading comprehension is hard. I’m commenting here because literally 2 posts within 10 minutes of each other were both on Pittsburgh trying to get Aiyuk. If that tickles your fancy then rock on. Otherwise get bent
Get bent? Welcome to 1970
@OGkush Your post is rude, inappropriate, and disrespectful.
He wants to play stupid games he is going to win stupid prizes. Niners can keep him at 14 million, have enough talent on offense to severely limit his targets, then let him hit free agency coming off the worst season of his career. You want to be selfish and hurt the team, you will feel the spite.
This. It’s the only way to handle this behavior.
Sure everyone wants to be paid what they believe they’re worth but if you’re not looking at the big picture (team system, other key teammates, team SB viability … notice the consistent “team”?) then treat the player in kind: “we love you on our team but the team will always come first”
Don’t trade him but don’t start him.
Demote him to WR3
“Demote him to WR3” Wouldn’t be the first time they had to do that with him. People shouldn’t be surprised he is being an ass. He was before.
lol. Some of you guys dream of ruling over players with an iron fist, but that stuff won’t work in reality. They’re not tanking their asset for a year.
The thing about those prizes, that can work both ways. Aiyuk can hold-in, then at some point he can develop some difficult to diagnose “back pain” that keeps him “sidelined” from playing. He collects his money for riding a stationary bike for most of the year. If you’re Aiyuk, you aim for a late season “comeback” just so everyone can see you’re healthy. If the 49ers choose not to utilize him then, it works out even better.
Except, you know, when there’s nothing wrong with him the 9ers will call him on it. They arent going to let him fake an injury. And, faking an injury isn’t going to help his cause. There already aren’t that many teams willing to pay him 30mill per, and there will be less once his faking injury tantrum is made public.
The point that gives your argument credence here is that Aiyuk is apparently picky with his landing spots. He has talent, obviously, so he can afford some measure of selection or say in the matter, but practically speaking, Aiyuk can’t be picky about both his contract value AND his landing spot. Teams will offer either what they can afford or what they think the other team will bite at. That’s entirely up to them, and the 9ers and/or Aiyuk will have to sort out shat is offered from that pile.
At a certain point, Aiyuk’s going to have to pick between where he ends up and what he’s paid.
I think I am starting to appreciate humble more.
I know Diggs was great, Tyreke is great. AB was too. Many WRs are.
As great as they are, Im just not sure I want to do that again. I think the Bills felt the same about Diggs in the end.
But Im getting super turned off by this entitlement.
I really want the Bills experiment work out. Not even necessarily for cap reasons or personal rooting interest. I just don’t care for this diva trend.
Attention and entitlement plus a smidge of narcissism. Its hard for me to truly love those guys.
Is that maybe a tar too far of a judgment for Aiyuk? Maybe. But it’s brewing.
He isn’t satisfied with 28 million a year with his resume and wants to make noise about it?
Its also part of being a fan of the NFL too. That isn’t going away.
Im just an old guy venting I guess. If the Bills can be great with that WR group – its going to be a huge advantage. If not – Ill begrudgingly accept the next narcissistic diva to catch passes next year.
Aiyuk has earned a payday by all comparable precedents. It’s not hubris to want to make life changing money before risking his physical wellbeing for a team that’s paid plenty of other guys.
I guess you and I have a different opinion on if 28 million is life changing and fighting for a few extra million for vanity.
so we expect these guys to lay their well-being on the line to be competitive over winning, but not when it comes to being paid competitively. Meanwhile, McCaffrey got new money resetting the running back market when his second contract wasn’t done yet, and he’s already hurt.
I think you are intentional missing my point.
Maybe I’m missing your point, but it’s not intentional. When a guy has generated tons of surplus value for his team on his rookie deal and they’re dragging their feet on extending him, I’m gonna root for the player to be paid.
The 49ers are not dragging their feet. They have made competitive offers. (Its in the article)
Aiyuk is the reason it isn’t getting done. He is reportedly asking for north of 30.
Instead he is becoming a distraction.
Not to mention the logistics of such a trade in compensation plus that contract. Its alot.
He could be on a winning team. In a great offense with a great coach. But that extra 3-4 million is more important to his ego.
To me, and most people I know that is life changing.
Most people you know aren’t direct peers with people making much more. Most people you know probably expect market rate for their work.
You are going a long way to avoid using greedy.
Is it the 9ers dragging their feet?
Or is it life changing money?
And now it’s market rate?
28 million a year puts him in .01 percent of Americans.
28 million a year would put him somewhere around top 30 in all NFL.
Somewhere around 5-7 in WR pay.
But I think you know all this. I’ll direct you back to my original post.
Aiyuk has only made 60% as much in his whole career as McCaffrey has made just in the last two years, yet he got new money this offseason while still under contract. The person paying Aiyuk is a 44-year old billionaire who’s never needed to have a job he wasn’t born into. The total salary cap is about $8.2 billion because that’s the players’ cut of the revenue they generate. Why should Aiyuk not be fighting for his slice while he can? He’s generated tons of surplus value for them and hasn’t gotten a ring out of it. Now it’s his turn to get paid and they’re paying other players.
This entire response is a reach, but ok. Ill bite.
1. I think you need to understand rookie contracts. Also – which player has been in the league longer? Wouldn’t that matter to your point?
2. Its like you dont recognize offers that have been made by either SF or NE. Please read the article.
3. Mccaffrey is the pinnacle of his position – Aiyuk is not.
4. What does the status of the owner have to do with this? Isn’t he entitled to make smart contract decisions on his own team? That adds no value to this discussion at all. He runs a business. But you know this.
5. Is Aiyuk interested in a ring or getting paid? Because as I can point to the above offers again – he can still be on a great team and get 28 mil annually.
6. He can do whatever he wants. We can all judge ourselves his actions too. Its fair.
Please read my original post.
I think the numbers are pretty clear – he was offered life changing, and market rate contract. Top 30 NFL contract. Yet it isnt enough.
7. Paying other players – yes. This is a team sport. Perhaps – like many people and apparently GMs – they think 30 million a year for Aiyuk isn’t reasonable because he isn’t seen the same as Jefferson or Tyreke?
I kind of think you are missing my point intentionally. Its not that difficult. Stop moving the goalposts.
The owner is relevant because you’re comparing Aiyuk to regular people, when he’s surrounded by zillionaires. And I’m sure Aiyuk is interested in a ring, but he’s already been underpaid on a stacked team for four years without winning one. Most players don’t get rings. McCaffrey is the pinnacle of his position, but it’s a position when players go downhill at his age and he’s had numerous injury problems–plus he was already under contract. I understand how rookie contracts. Star players usually get paid or traded to someone who will pay them before they run out. Guys like Christian Kirk get huge contracts because guys as good as Aiyuk don’t make it to free agency in their 20s. $30 million would be much less than Jefferson is getting, and Tyreek is four years older and frequently banged up.
Bills1 I am a 49ers fan but I am now supporting the Bills this season as well because of your posts. You make perfect points and are 100% spot on. He is either intentionally missing the point or he’s never going to get it. Always nice to see a commenter that knows what they are talking about!
Thank you sir.
They’re not dragging their feet on extending him. Reports have them offering him $26mill+. He’s holding out to claim some random prize of just how high can be on the highest paid list.
$14mill he’s due this year is already life changing money.
Just play it out and pick your team. The 9ers aren’t tagging him.
And if he suffers a catastrophic injury this year without getting a new deal, he’ll have made less in his whole career than Nico Collins will get in an average year of his new deal. Young stars get extensions.
Or – and hear me out RD….
He can sign a top 10 WR contract extension right now with SF.
But Oof has not read the article yet. Or…He refuses to acknowledge that because it undercuts his stance.
He is more focused on not being wrong than being objective.
If I’m Aiyuk’s agent, I’m not taking two million a year less than St. Brown got.
So – not market rate or life changing money then?
By market rate I don’t mean getting what Jefferson got. I think Jefferson has a strong case to be highest paid. I think Aiyuk should be getting the next tier down, not the little tier below that.
I agree.
Something in the top 30 aav and 5-7 WR pay is more than fair.
As a Steeler fan, they don’t have any valuable assets to trade. All the good players are either old (Heyward), have a loaded contract (Watt, Fitzpatrick, Highsmith), or are young building blocks (Pickens, Herbig, Benton, JPJ). Most Steelers fans seem to think that a 2nd this year, a 3rd next, Moore and Calvin Austin gets this done. It doesn’t. Austin sucks, Moore is worse, and the niners want more than that. Unless you’re comfortable trading a 1st, a 2nd next year, and someone like Highsmith or Herbig then this isn’t going to happen. And I wouldn’t pay that price either.
Fautanu or Jones plus picks.
The Steelers aren’t trading their 1st round pick from last year or this year. I personally may not be against it because I don’t have much faith in either of them, but the Steelers front office never admits mistakes – especially first round picks.
In general I agree that the Steelers have been loyal to a fault but Oman Khan and the Rooney family seemingly realize they need to adapt to the rest of the league a bit more. They just got rid of Pickett before his rookie deal expired this offseason and are currently discussing, if not making much progress, on trading to aquire an offensive playmaker and sign him to a major extension. These two things would’ve been unfathomable even just 3-5 years ago for this organization.
Lets be unbiased about it – what has Khan really done?
– Get rid of Pickett which any one with a brain would’ve done
– Traded WR1 for a backup CB that was 5 days from being a cap casualty
– Sign a washed up Wilson
– Trade a low pick for a QB with all-time type turnover numbers
– Signed 5 WRs with WR4 ability to fill in at WR2
– Patrick Queen
2/6 of those look good just at a glance. The QB situation can go either way, but only 1 of them will work (or neither). Yes, Khan has done some things different from the ‘Steeler way’, but in all seriousness these moved barely move the needle. Lipstick on a pig.
I’m guessing you view the Wilson and fields moves negatively but getting two veteran qbs that combined make under 20 million against their cap when they’re trying to win now is positive to me. He also drafted very well the past two years getting Porter Jr., a diamond in the rough 4th rounder in Nick herbig, and potentially rebuilt 4/5 of the offensive line for the next 4 or 5 years.
I don’t I think the moves are decent and a definite upgrade over the anemic Pickett. I agree the draft looks good but we have to see still Devin Bush looked good year 1 too then it all changed
Major knee surgery will do that for an inside linebacker who’s game is based on his speed and not his hitting. Shazier was great until injury ended his career too. Hope that Payton Wilson, who’s similar in play style to Bush and Shazier, avoids serious injury that prematurely makes him ineffective on the field. That type of rangy, athletic ILB that can run in coverage would be a great compliment to Patrick Queen.
I agree. I just think a lot of people are going a little too far with this ‘Khan artist’ stuff. He’s made cost efficient moves that look really good on paper and that’s lovable. It still matters what happens in between the lines now though.
No way that’s happening
See if they’ll take Russell Wilson and a late round draft choice for em.
Why would the 49ers ever consider that!?? Worse comment so far.
Pretty safe to say they weee joking.
how many rings have the 17 highest paid WR won so far ? ? go ahead steelers .. make the trade and add your future + 1 to the list
Kelce is the highest paid TE – while it isn’t as much as the WR’s make he’s their top pass catcher and the highest paid at said position…
Yea… the guy that makes 19M, which is a lot less than the top WRs, is really relevant to the conversation.
Is he or is he not the highest paid at his position?
Has he or has he not won multiple Super Bowls?
Thanks for playing. Your contributions won’t be necessary ever again.
HE isn’t a WR. He isn’t relevant to the conversation.
Dude’s questions was “how many rings have the 17 highest paid WR won so far ?”
And you listed a TE and acted like you got him. Might as well bring up Mahomes contract and his Super Bowls.
Way to answer my questions above… He’s a pass catcher, and the top one on that team. He’s 7th in receiving yards since 2020. If you don’t think TE is relevant to the receiving position that’s your issue not mine…
Appreciate your feedback, next time I’ll make sure to ask though.
” If you don’t think TE is relevant to the receiving position that’s your issue not mine”
Bring up RBs, they catch the ball too. Just as relevant.
Yeah except no top paid running backs have been on a SB winner in the past 5-7 years so it wasn’t relevant to the original post. Had one been, I would’ve noted it. Ah, the irony in you bringing up something completely irrelevant while calling my comment irrelevant is awesome bud.
I think you’re even confused about what you’re trying to argue with me about… Take a step back, look in the mirror, drink a cold one, and comprehend…
Good talk.
Sooner or later, someone is going to realize that the stakes for a trade are not going to fly.
He will be a 49er unless Cleveland gets it done in on a cooper plus a 2nd deal
I think Aiyuk said no to Cleveland.
He’s not worth either a big trade package or a huge contract.
He’s worth a very nice trade package and a very nice contract.
If SF or he want more, oh well.
Pittsburgh might just be better off keeping Pickens and sticking this whole thing in the back pocket. Even if you find a way to swing this without giving up Pickens, You will be in the same boat with him after this season that the Niners are in right now. I think many Steeler fans would agree that they aren’t going to pay Aiyuk and Pickens 30 million a year each.
He’s starting to turn into another Terrell Owens. He has one good season and all of a sudden he’s the best receiver in the NFL. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. He’s got it made there in SF or Santa Clara. He’s probably thinking the cost of living is outrageous there compared to Pittsburgh and he can save $3k a month on rent/mortgage which I get.
Still think Texans make sense.
Cap room.
Stefon Diggs
I’d offer Diggs, minnesotas 2025 2nd which could wind up being in the 30s, a 2026 3rd.
Lol
Harrison Butker don’t miss
It would be a decent offer if the Texans hadn’t just acquired Diggs. With a “normal” player that deal would still be an issue; one as mercurial as Diggs could make it moreso for the 9ers if he weren’t onboard (and I don’t know enough about Diggs personally to predict how he would feel being in a system, and not talent, based offense where he’s not the only focus).
Needwise and talent-wise, it could work, but Diggs was just moved and NFL teams are reluctant to turn around on moves that have yet to even see the field.
A three team trade with some also-ran who has a good receiver is clearly the answer. Pittsburgh gets Aiyuk, the also ran gets Pittsburgh’s picks to rebuild, and the 49ers get a receiver who likely wants to win a Super Bowl.
Possibilities:
Denver: Courtland Sutton
Las Vegas: Davante Adams
Washington: Terry McLaurin
Tennessee: Calvin Ridley
Here’s the deal. Aiyuk can’t block a trade, he can just declare that he won’t sign an extension.
Saying he won’t sign an extension lowers his trade value but doesn’t make him untradable.
I still think he ends up staying an playing out year w SF
Dude has literally turned into the ultimate diva. I want money, but only if I get to pick where I go.
You could have had a huge contract, enjoy the 14 mill this year. He’s not going anywhere
Why shouldn’t he have some say in where he signs a long term contract?
He can… after his current one ends.. As of now, the team that he is contracted to has that. It’s kind of how everyone else has it go and he isn’t special.
Players as good as he is get deals or get dealt.
If Aiyuk had more leverage, which he does not. He’s good, but if he sits out, who hurts? The 9ers, probably, but they’re already planning on not having him this year, so it doesn’t seem to change much.
Moral arguments aside, Aiyuk can choose to facilitate a trade and move, or wait a year. Picking a target amount AND a target destination makes him less likely to get either. If he doesn’t get either, he’s going to be left with whatever the 9ers have on tap for him. So, if he really hates the idea of playing out his final year or of accepting what San Fran offered, then Aiyuk needs to budge on either what he’s paid or on who he’s going to get it from. You can deserve all of the money in the world-at least hypothetically-but someone has to be willing to pay it to you. Right now, the teams Aiyuk wants won’t offer enough and the teams that might offer enough aren’t who he wants. He’ll have to pick.
Teams interested in Aiyuk just need to hold their ground as the 49ers enter salary cap hell in 2026 and they know they have to make some moves before than and can’t sign Aiyuk. Aiyuk I’m sure is looking at the DJ Moore extension of $110M/$82M guaranteed as his baseline. The Steelers are about culture and I’m sure if Tomlin feels Aiyuk will not be a problem, he will find a way to get this done.