10:00pm: While an Aiyuk-to-Pittsburgh stays in play, it appears like a trade hasn’t been accomplished since the 49ers imagine they will persuade the wideout to stay in San Francisco. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers and Aiyuk’s camp aren’t “that far apart on a deal.” The reporter notes that the 49ers have improved their offer in recent days, and it “has all the time” been the player’s preference to follow San Francisco.
12:50pm: Brandon Aiyuk should find his technique to Pittsburgh, but the opportunity of a long-term San Francisco deal also exists. A trade agreement has been worked out between the teams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rapoport adds that the Steelers are “in an excellent place” with respect to an extension for the All-Pro wideout. The 49ers even have a standing offer to Aiyuk which might allow him to remain within the Bay Area for 2024 and beyond, nevertheless. That provide has not yet been accepted.
Because the waiting game continues, Aiyuk may have the choice of selecting to take a multi-year 49ers deal or, failing that, the 49ers shall be in position to authorize the trade. Terms on an extension shall be critical, after all. The Steelers haven’t yet been willing to succeed in $30MM per season on a deal; that has also been the case for San Francisco. Whereas trade terms had not yet been sufficient from the 49ers’ perspective, though, today’s update points to a Steelers acquisition once more being a definite possibility.
Rapoport’s report doesn’t specify what Pittsburgh has offered, however the package set to move to the Bay Area will little question be noteworthy. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette repeats his previous reporting, though, that no Steelers players are involved. Each the Patriots and Browns had deals worked out, and people agreements would have sent Aiyuk to a brand new team. The 26-year-old nixed a reported deal which might have yielded Amari Cooper and a pair of draft picks for the Niners, given his preference to not play in Cleveland or Recent England. Pittsburgh has long been known to be a destination Aiyuk is taken with.
Because the Athletic’s Dianna Russini confirms, the Steelers have been waiting on the trade front for days. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a veteran receiver to supply in a trade (at the least, not considered one of Cooper’s caliber). George Pickens is the centerpiece of the team’s passing attack because it currently stands, with Diontae Johnson having been traded away this spring. That move – coupled with the discharge of Allen Robinson – has led to speculation the Steelers could add a receiver, and an Aiyuk acquisition will surely mark a serious move for his or her offense.
Late last month, general manager Omar Khan said no deals on the receiver position were being explored. Interest in Aiyuk has erupted since then, with the previous first-rounder’s trade request not sparking progress on a 49ers extension agreement. Aiyuk has long been tied to an asking price around $30MM per yr, a mark 4 receivers are currently attached to. It is going to be interesting to see if San Francisco’s most up-to-date offer reaches that time, or if the Steelers are prepared to up their latest one to get a trade over the finish line.
Because the Jets’ situation with Haason Reddick proves, understanding a trade with no firm extension in place may be highly problematic for the acquiring team. One yr stays on Aiyuk’s rookie deal, and he’s due $14.12MM in 2024 on the fifth-year option. A protracted-term deal will little question be price roughly double that figure, perhaps more. Which team he plays on during his next pact stays to be seen, nevertheless.
