Update:
The Browns and Patriots are the front runners in a trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk, according to Matt Maiocco.
Maiocco reports that San Francisco has the framework for a trade in place with both teams and it is up to Aiyuk to decide whether or not he’ll accept either team’s contract terms.
Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne and Browns WR Amari Cooper are two players that could be traded back to San Francisco if the team ends up moving forward with a deal.
Maiocco noted the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers were also involved but Washington backed out of talks and Pittsburgh was not willing to meet San Francisco’s asking price.
Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero are reporting that contract talks between the 49ers and WR Brandon Aiyuk remain stalled and it now appears to be more likely that he will be traded than sign an extension with San Francisco.
According to the report, multiple teams are in play for an Aiyuk trade at this time.
Multiple teams have been granted permission to speak with Aiyuk about an extension that could pave the way for a potential trade.
NFL Network says that there is no trade in place with the Steelers or any other team at this point in time.
Longtime 49ers beat reporter Matt Maiocco says he now believes there’s a real possibility the 49ers agree to trade WR Brandon Aiyuk instead of signing him to a new deal.
Maiocco previously thought there was no way San Francisco would give up Aiyuk in a prime year of their Super Bowl window.
However, he cites growing trade buzz around Aiyuk involving the Browns and Patriots, who would each give Aiyuk the contract he wants and be able to give the 49ers a proven receiver in return to help minimize the loss of Aiyuk.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes the Browns would likely have to include WR Amari Cooper as part of a trade package for Aiyuk, though it’s worth pointing out the Browns just restructured Cooper’s contract before training camp.
As for New England, Maiocco says they could include WR Kendrick Bourne who played in San Francisco before signing with New England as a free agent. But in that case, it’s worth noting Bourne is coming off a torn ACL and is still getting back to full speed. The Patriots also inquired about Aiyuk in July and were rebuffed.
Maiocco notes the 49ers are believed to have an offer out to Aiyuk a couple of million shy of the $30 million annually the receiver has been seeking. He adds it’s possible the ball might be in Aiyuk’s court now with options to go to other teams willing to meet his contract demands or staying in San Francisco.
Both ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler said this past week it felt like little progress was made on contract talks between Aiyuk and the 49ers, with both sides dug in on their stances.
Several reports have said that while San Francisco does want to keep Aiyuk on a long-term deal, so far the 49ers haven’t been willing to meet the market. Aiyuk sees himself as a top-ten receiver and wants to be paid accordingly.
While Aiyuk reported to training camp, he has not been practicing and officially requested a trade in July.
Aiyuk, 26, was a one-year starter at Arizona State and earned first-team All-Pac 12 in his final season. The 49ers traded up with the Vikings to select him with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He signed a four-year, $12,531,342 rookie contract that included a $6,673,703 signing bonus. The 49ers picked up his fifth-year option last year that will cost them $14,124,000 fully guaranteed for the 2024 season.
Aiyuk is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
In 2023, Aiyuk appeared in 16 games for the 49ers and caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
We will have more news on Aiyuk as it becomes available.
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