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San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors

Browns Offered Amari Cooper For Brandon Aiyuk; 49ers WR Nixed Deal

August 9th, 2024 at 9:56pm CST by Ely Allen

In the latest online chatter, yet another rumor concerning the future of 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has come to the surface. This rumor has nothing to do with his future in San Francisco or Pittsburgh, but Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the wide receiver convinced the 49ers to turn down a trade offer from the Browns that would have included Amari Cooper, a second-round pick, and a fifth-round pick.

In a moment where Cleveland doesn’t seem to be a part of the conversation, it is interesting that this information would leak, especially when it didn’t amount to anything. Cooper just posted a career high in receiving yards despite missing two games and playing nearly two thirds of the season with backup quarterbacks. Yes, he’s four years older than Aiyuk, but there’s no reason the Browns would choose to make it known that they were willing to move on from their top receiver.

Still, it’s interesting to note Cleveland was prepared to meet San Francisco’s asking price (which, according to Maiocco, includes second- and third-round selections absent any players being included) to finalize a deal. Pittsburgh has not yet been willing to go to those lengths in terms of draft capital on top of not having a comparable receiver to Cooper to offer.

NBC Sports’ Mike Florio points the finger at the 49ers, positing that San Francisco is attempting to make it seem as though Aiyuk is unreasonable and unhelpful when trying to find a solution to the situation.

There’s been speculation that the team has been fielding trade offers with possible extension opportunities in an attempt to gauge Aiyuk’s contract value for their own negotiating purposes. This way, they get a look at what other teams are willing to pay to extend Aiyuk. It also forces Aiyuk to the negotiating table with the promise of talk of what he wants — a trade in which he has input — while allowing the team to continue working towards their own interests — an extension under market value — while he’s at the table.

This is just the latest of lots of speculation and rumors surrounding this situation. It’s hard to see much relevance in the update, but the information does shine some interesting light on one of the league’s more chaotic preseason storylines.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/24

August 9th, 2024 at 8:35pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor transactions to close out the week:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Green Bay Packers

  • Waived (with injury settlement): WR Rory Starkey

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Waived (with injury designation): NT Matthew Gotel

Haynes quick exit after a short stint in Arizona comes after he signed a contract including an injury waiver. He spent time on injured reserve with the Panthers last season, precipitating the presence of the injury waiver in his latest deal. The team utilized the waiver to terminate his contract today.

Latest Brandon Aiyuk Rumors

August 9th, 2024 at 7:38pm CST by Ely Allen

For a while, the hold in-trade demand situation with the 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk looked a lot like those of his teammates Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa is prior years. With Samuel and Bosa, there seemed to be a lot of bluffs and posturing before a deal ultimately got done to keep the stars in place. Aiyuk’s situation has clearly become a different monster, especially within the media, requiring an update mere hours after our latest post.

Disappointingly, the latest updates do not seem to indicate any more imminence in this situation coming to a close but, instead, provide a bit of additional information to previous reports.

For instance, we have seen the rumors connecting Aiyuk to the Patriots come and go already. Initial reports told us that the contract offer that would accompany a trade for Aiyuk would eclipse $28MM per year, a respectable amount but not one that challenges the top five contracts at the position. According to a combined report from Dianna Russini, Matt Barrows, and David Lombardi of The Athletic, the Patriots’ offer was actually potentially worth up to $32MM per year, matching Eagles wideout A.J. Brown as the second-highest paid receiver behind Justin Jefferson in Minnesota. Still, it’s become clear that a deal to New England is unlikely.

The Steelers, on the other hand, seem to have disappointed both the 49ers and Aiyuk with their offer, though Aiyuk doesn’t seem too turned off. The offer was reportedly less than what San Francisco was offering long-term, but Aiyuk still seems to prefer them as a destination. Pittsburgh doesn’t seem to feel pressed to improve their offer, though. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Steelers have made their offer and intentions clear and are willing to let the pieces fall as they may. It’s been reported that the Niners prefer to receive a wide receiver back in any trade separating them from Aiyuk, and Pittsburgh certainly isn’t able to meet that request. Still, Aiyuk has reportedly made it clear that Pittsburgh is his preferred trade destination.

The Steelers aren’t the only preference, though. Garafolo also reported today that the 49ers asked Aiyuk to make a list of teams he would like to play for, and San Francisco was reportedly on that list. Developments like that could point to why negotiations to extend Aiyuk have reupped in San Francisco. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the 49ers have been working to raise their offer, after initially starting low.

For what it’s worth, Aiyuk himself weighed in on the situation, replying to a post on Instagram quoting Pelissero and saying, “It’s two options out there, pick one and stop dropping reports. Simple.” It’s hard to say what those two options are, exactly, but it can be ventured that the two options in play are an extension with the 49ers and a trade to and extension in Pittsburgh.

49ers Resume Effort To Complete Brandon Aiyuk Extension

August 9th, 2024 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors have come in steadily during the week, as the wide receiver’s hold-in continues. But the 49ers still employ the veteran; and they are not giving up on their original 2024 goal here.

San Francisco has resumed efforts in recent days to hammer out a long-term deal with Aiyuk, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo report. This renewed pursuit of an extension — one the 49ers have been trying to complete for months — has not nixed the possibility of a trade entirely, as the NFL.com duo indicates the Steelers join other teams in still being in the mix. A July report pegged at least five teams as interested in a trade; a few have since revealed themselves.

But Aiyuk-49ers buzz gaining steam represents rare progress in a situation that has produced a trade request and a hold-in that has lasted for two-plus weeks. The 49ers are pushing for a deal, Pelissero adds, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones indicating some optimism has emerged Aiyuk and the 49ers will reach an agreement. While it is clear movement is taking place, Jones couches this by noting this is still a fluid situation.

This latest chapter stems from a recent sitdown between Aiyuk, Kyle Shanahan and others in the organization, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. This marks the second notable meeting during this extended negotiating chapter for the 49ers, as Aiyuk requested a meeting to clear the air in June. The previous summit did not lead to this long-formed value gap closing, producing the July trade request.

It is certainly possible the increased trade rumors, which have involved Aiyuk’s camp talking to teams, have moved the 49ers’ price point. The Patriots were believed to be willing to go higher than the 49ers in terms of AAV, proposing an extension that would have come in beyond $28.5MM. Reports out of San Francisco have produced a $26-$27MM 49ers value on their 2023 receiving leader. Aiyuk has targeted a figure beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s $30.01MM-per-year deal and a guarantee in A.J. Brown territory. With D.J. Moore‘s Bears deal nearly matching the Eagles’ Brown guarantee ($84MM-$82.6MM), Aiyuk stands to have more ammo in this battle.

As discussed in our most recent Trade Rumors Front Office piece, the 49ers playing hardball with Aiyuk could undercut them at a crucial point. The team not only has Brock Purdy in what is likely the final year of a seventh-round contract, but four defensive starters — Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Talanoa Hufanga — are in walk years. Trent Williams, who is holding out, is also going into his age-36 season. Pieces are in place for another 49ers Super Bowl run, but Aiyuk’s drama could throw a wrench into this operation.

Trade framework with the Patriots and Browns emerged, but Aiyuk was not believed to be interested in being dealt to New England. Not much has come out of the Cleveland component in these layered negotiations, but Pittsburgh is believed to be waiting on San Francisco. That said, the 49ers and Aiyuk have expressed some degree of disappointment in the Steelers’ extension and trade offers, respectively. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds the Steelers have not engaged with the 49ers in the past 24 hours regarding Aiyuk.

The 49ers are believed to want a veteran wide receiver — something the Steelers, absent a George Pickens sweetener, do not appear to possess — or vets at other spots as part of a trade package. Draft capital would obviously not help this San Francisco team, potentially leading to the holdup. Though, the 49ers drove a hard bargain during Aiyuk talks on draft weekend by asking for a mid-first-round pick.

While these proceedings could again careen off the rails, this flood of reports about progress certainly pries the door back open to a long-term Aiyuk Bay Area future. This would stand to affect Deebo Samuel‘s post-2024 future, but as the 49ers attempt to capture an elusive Shanahan-era championship, a window remains open to their skill-position armada staying together for another year.

49ers Release TE Logan Thomas, Place DL Austin Bryant On IR

August 9th, 2024 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Logan Thomas arrived in San Francisco as an intriguing George Kittle backup option, but the veteran pass catcher is already out of the picture. The 49ers released the recent free agency addition Friday.

San Francisco, which agreed to terms with punter Pressley Harvin earlier today, also placed defensive lineman Austin Bryant on IR. Bryant was going into his second season with the 49ers. Bryant sustained an injury this week, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner tweets.

This news comes after Thomas has missed time due to a hamstring injury. The former quarterback went down early during training camp. The 49ers lost former Kittle backups Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner this offseason and saw the Lions match their Brock Wright RFA offer sheet. Thomas may end up finding a gig elsewhere, but he is now going into his age-33 season.

Thomas signed a vet-minimum deal in June but will see a second team drop him this year. The Commanders, who had extended their TE starter in 2021, released the 6-foot-6 weapon early this offseason. Thomas’ past production, inconsistent as it was, could generate another chance once he heals up. The former sixth-round Cardinals QB pick converted to tight end midway through his career and earned a three-year, $24.1MM extension from Washington for his effort.

An ACL tear sidetracked Thomas following his 2020 breakthrough (72 receptions, 672 yards, six touchdowns), and he did not eclipse 350 yards in either of the following two seasons. In Eric Bieniemy‘s offense last year, the Terry McLaurin complementary target bounced back with a 496-yard, four-touchdown showing. Certainly not overly impressive numbers for a team’s top receiving tight end, but Pro Football Focus did rank the QB convert 17th among TEs in run blocking. That would have appealed to the 49ers, but they are giving up early.

Losing Woerner and Dwelley to the Falcons and seeing the Lions retain Wright, the 49ers do still have a variable behind Kittle. Third-round pick Cameron Latu missed his entire rookie season with an ACL tear. While the 49ers viewed the Alabama product as more of a developmental player — hence the Wright and Thomas moves — he has returned to work this offseason. Veteran Eric Saubert and 2023 seventh-rounder Brayden Willis (48 snaps in 2023) are also still on the team’s roster behind Kittle.

49ers To Sign P Pressley Harvin III

August 9th, 2024 at 8:28am CST by Sam Robinson

After spending the past three seasons as the Steelers’ punter, Pressley Harvin III hit the waiver wire this offseason. The fourth-year specialist found another gig Friday morning.

The 49ers are adding Harvin to their 90-man roster, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Sixth-year 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky is dealing with an injury, creating an immediate — though, perhaps not pressing due to the regular season being a month away — need at this specialty spot.

Pittsburgh parted ways with Harvin in mid-February and signed recent Texans punter Cameron Johnston a month later. A 2021 seventh-round pick, Harvin punted in 47 games for the Steelers from 2021-23. He beat out Braden Mann to keep the Pittsburgh punting gig last summer but averaged just 43.8 yards per punt in 2023. This was a step down from 2022, when the netted 44.5 yards per boot. Among regulars, Harvin’s 2023 average ranked as the NFL’s second-worst mark last season.

San Francisco’s punter of the past five seasons, Wishnowsky is dealing with a knee injury that has forced him out of practice in recent days. Kyle Shanahan said recently the team would need to address this situation before the preseason opener. A 2019 fourth-round pick, Wishnowsky is signed through the 2026 season.

While Wishnowsky’s job does not appear at risk, the 49ers will need to execute punts (presumably) in their August debut. With no other punter on the roster coming into today, Harvin now appears set to handle that workload against the Titans on Saturday.

Steelers’ Trade, Extension Offers Underwhelming 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk?

August 8th, 2024 at 8:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

49ers Sign DE Jonathan Garvin

August 8th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of Drake Jackson being shut down for the 2024 campaign, the 49ers have made an addition along the edge. Jonathan Garvin has been added on a one-year deal, per his agency.

Garvin is among the players who have parlayed a strong showing in the UFL into a new opportunity at the NFL level. The 25-year-old played a key role on the league champion Birmingham Stallions, collecting 3.5 sacks this season. He worked out for the Cowboys in June, but that did not produce a deal. Now, Garvin will head to the Bay Area to finish training camp and the preseason.

The former seventh-rounder began his NFL career with the Packers, spending three seasons with the team. His best year came in 2021, when he logged a 39% defensive snap share and totaled 1.5 sacks. He will compete for a similar rotational role upon arrival in San Francisco, a team with the top of the edge depth chart relatively sorted out even with Jackson no longer in the picture.

Nick Bosa is set to remain the focal point of San Francisco’s defense and occupy one starting spot at the defensive end position. The team added Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos in free agency, and they will continue competing for playing time opposite Bosa in the coming weeks. Garvin will provide another option in a backup capacity if he manages to survive roster cutdowns at the end of the month.

The 49ers entered Thursday with over $52MM in cap space, leaving the team with plenty of flexibility to make additions. That total will drop slightly with Robbie Chosen now in the fold, along with Garvin. Both players will no doubt be attached to league-minimum pacts as they attempt to return to a regular NFL role.

49ers DE Drake Jackson Out For Season

August 8th, 2024 at 4:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Drake Jackson will be sidelined for the 2024 campaign as he continues to recover from a knee injury. The third-year defensive end has been placed on the reserve/PUP list, per a team announcement.

Players moved to the active/PUP list at the start of training camp are permitted to be activated and return to practice at any time. The reserve/PUP designation, however, guarantees players are out for the entire campaign, just like injured reserve at this point in the offseason. Jackson’s absence will be felt along the edge for San Francisco.

The former second-rounder was limited to eight games last season due to the injury, and an update from earlier this week noted he would be absent for at least the remainder of training camp. Today’s news is a notable step beyond that, and it means Jackson’s attention will need to turn to the 2025 campaign. That year doubles as the end of his rookie contract.

San Francisco has depended on Nick Bosa as an anchor on the edge, but Jackson was drafted to turn into a full-time starter to complement him. The latter posted three sacks as a rookie, matching that total in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He will face questions about his health and ability to produce on a consistent basis once he returns to full health.

The 49ers signed Leonard Floyd in free agency, and the veteran is positioned to operate as a first-teamer in 2024. San Francisco also added Yetur Gross-Matos on a two-year deal this offseason as part of a general strategy aimed at providing relative stability along the edge. Jackson would have been counted on to at least hold down a rotational role this season, so it will be interesting to see if a late-summer addition is made in the wake of his injury.

The team has over $52MM in cap space, flexibility which could allow for a move to be made in the near future. Anyone brought in at this point will face a short ramp-up period given how close Week 1 is, though. Jackson, 23, will need to make considerable progress in the coming months as he aims to return to the field next year. His designation created the roster spot needed for the 49ers’ signing of safety Tracy Walker to become official.

49ers To Add WR Robbie Chosen

August 8th, 2024 at 12:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Aiyuk remains a 49er, but he is not practicing. Frustrated by his contract situation for months, Aiyuk remains a hold-in. As a result, the 49ers are bringing in a veteran.

San Francisco is adding Robbie Chosen, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Known more in recent years for his name changes, Chosen has starter experience and, per Pelissero, received interest elsewhere. After working out for the 49ers, the former Jets and Panthers starter will receive another opportunity.

[RELATED: 49ers, Aiyuk Underwhelmed By Steelers’ Offers?]

The Seahawks hosted Chosen earlier this offseason, but ESPN.com’s Field Yates notes the 49ers brought him in for an audition Wednesday. Chosen follows Tracy Walker as recent 49ers tryout invitees to receive a contract offer. Walker signed with the team late Wednesday night. The other player invited for a workout, safety Rudy Ford, has not signed.

The former Robby Anderson, Robbie Anderson and Chosen Anderson is now 31 and is coming off an unremarkable Dolphins stint. Though, a 68-yard touchdown grab in Miami’s 70-20 demolition of Denver led to an interesting four-catch, 126-yard stat line from last season. The Panthers rostered Chosen from 2020-22 but traded him shortly after Matt Rhule, Chosen’s college HC while at Temple, was fired. The deep threat produced a 1,000-yard season in 2020, leading to a two-year, $29.5MM Carolina extension, and flashed as a deep threat during his Jets tenure. At this point, however, Chosen would qualify as a depth option.

Beginning camp without Ricky Pearsall healthy, the 49ers have since seen the first-rounder return to practice. The defending NFC champions still have Deebo Samuel and the recently extended Jauan Jennings in uniform, and Ronnie Bell and fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing are rostered as well. The team also signed Chris Conley and brought back Trent Taylor this offseason, but Chosen will be asked to contribute as well. With 16-man practice squads in place, Chosen could compete for a spot there if he is unable to land a 53-man spot.

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