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The San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have reached an impasse in their contract negotiations. The All-Pro receiver wants his next deal to be among the highest-paid wide receivers, but the Niners disagree with that price tag.
Hence, multiple news outlets confirmed that the 49ers have allowed Aiyuk to seek a trade and negotiate a contract with specific teams. The Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots are two teams that reportedly signified interest in the former Arizona State standout. Both teams are discussing trade packages for Aiyuk, with Cleveland allegedly sending Amari Cooper while New England is giving Kendrick Bourne.
However, another team emerges as a potential destination for Aiyuk. The popular Twitter account of a certain “Rickey” claimed that the Pittsburgh Steelers are also in the running for Aiyuk. Will this trade materialize or fizzle?
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My back is against the wall but Brandon Aiyuk will be a Pittsburgh Steeler. I'm going out on top. #TrustRickey
— Rickey (retired) (@prettyrickey213) August 5, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors
The Steelers were originally a non-item when the Niners announced that Aiyuk was available for trade. Based on reports, the Patriots made an offer and were willing to give him the contract he sought. However, as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted, the Patriots backed out and will develop their wideouts instead.
Where things stand with #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk, per verified reports:
*49ers have given Aiyuk permission to negotiate a new contract with specific teams, per @AdamSchefter.
*Browns and Patriots have agreed to trade deals with the 49ers, per @MaioccoNBCS. Cleveland would send… pic.twitter.com/4FekegbTqY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 6, 2024
There are no updates on whether the Browns will pursue trade talks for Aiyuk. Therefore, the Steelers are the only known destination for the fifth-year wideout from California. Aiyuk has been leaving breadcrumbs regarding his potential departure throughout the offseason, including a now-deleted tweet in which Aiyuk recognized his physical resemblance to Tomlin.
That exchange could be nothing more than a playful banter. However, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey might have accidentally revealed Aiyuk’s situation when he referred to the wideout as his “former teammate” before correcting himself.
Christian McCaffrey refers to Brandon Aiyuk as a “former teammate” 👀
Sounds like Aiyuk is gone…
(h/t @kevinkruegs)
pic.twitter.com/70pOdVgj2W https://t.co/RWpekc0YPH
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 6, 2024
All that’s certain right now is that the Steelers are in the running for Brandon Aiyuk. When this deal pulls through, Pittsburgh will have a dynamic pass-catching duo of him and George Pickens that can strike fear upon opponents.
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