When news broke on Monday that the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers had reached a trade agreement, it looked once again like wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was on his way out once again.
Aiyuk had asked to be traded weeks ago after he couldn’t come to terms with the 49ers on the type of big contract extension he has been demanding, and about a week ago, they started to seriously entertain trade offers for him.
However, it isn’t a certainty that he will be traded, as he and the team are not that far apart on an extension agreement, per Mike Garafolo.
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: The #49ers and Brandon Aiyuk aren’t that far apart on a deal, which is why they haven’t pulled the trigger on a trade to the #Steelers and Aiyuk is still hoping they can clear one final hurdle in the negotiations. pic.twitter.com/hyJvFckRrn
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 13, 2024
Garofalo also said that Aiyuk would prefer to remain with San Francisco and that the team’s offers to him have improved.
Getting this extension done is seen as absolutely vital to the championship hopes of a Niners franchise that hasn’t won the Vince Lombardi Trophy since the 1994 season and has lost in each of its last three Super Bowl appearances.
Aiyuk was the Niners’ leader in receptions and receiving yards last season, and at age 26, he could perhaps continue to grow and get even better over the next couple of years.
If they are to trade him, it is believed they want a legitimate wide receiver threat back in return for him, which could be part of the hold-up right now in reaching a resolution to this saga.
If he does get traded, it will take an all-hands-on-deck effort to replace his production in the team’s passing game.
NEXT:
Former Player Calls Out Brandon Aiyuk Amid Contract Reports