However, during a conversation with former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco on "The Nightcap" podcast, Aiyuk clarified that it was simply a lighthearted response amidst ongoing trade rumors.
"Every day while you under negotiations, negotiating, or whatever you want to call it—contract talks—every day is like a different day," Aiyuk said.
The report about the Steelers' interest came after one about the Jacksonville Jaguars inquiring about the receiver. Initially planning to ignore the trade rumors and focus on enjoying his birthday on March 17, Aiyuk woke up two days later to the Steelers rumors.
"If everybody is saying this and this and that, let me go ahead and just put out one of my little spots, and I'll [repond] back to Tomlin, and we can have a little bit of fun with it. It's all in fun. It's all fun. Like I said, we're professionals. But it is what it is, man. That's where the Tomlin thing came from."
"I promise you, nothing's going on there," Lynch affirmed.
Discussing his future with the 49ers, a confident Aiyuk remarked, "It's business and it's multiple people involved in business, and we all try to get to one thing. But like I said, they gonna do it with me or without me. You gonna have a better chance with me, and we just leave it at that."
George Kittle's message to Brandon Aiyuk amid contract talks with 49ers: "Be patient"
By David Bonilla
Apr 25
George Kittle made his sentiments clear in a recent conversation about his teammate, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The tight end emphasized that he couldn't picture the San Francisco 49ers without Aiyuk and spoke highly of him in a discussion with Fox News Digital's Scott Thompson.
Throughout the offseason, Kittle has had several conversations with Aiyuk and empathizes with his situation. Reflecting on his own contract negotiation in 2020 before reaching an agreement with the 49ers, Kittle offered his best advice to Aiyuk: "Hey, be patient."
Kittle added, "It's just kind of the way the Niners do things. I didn't
Report: Several teams inquiring about 49ers' Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 25
Brandon Aiyuk isn't the only San Francisco 49ers player being mentioned in trade chatter around the NFL. According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, several teams are also reaching out to inquire about the availability of wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
"In the course of trade conversations about Brandon Aiyuk, numerous teams are inquiring about fellow 49ers WR Deebo Samuel's availability," Silver reports. "The 49ers would likely have to be blown away by the offer to make that move. Fluid situation, though."
In the course of trade conversations about Brandon Aiyuk, numerous teams are inquiring about fellow
Rapoport: Brandon Aiyuk's status 'firmly up in the air' as 49ers near draft
By David Bonilla
Apr 25
NFL insider Ian Rapoport joined NFL Network ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, which kicks off in a couple of hours, and provided an update on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk amid several trade rumors.
"I think it's fair to say the status of Brandon Aiyuk is very firmly up in the air for the San Francisco 49ers," Rapoport stated. "No doubt they're going to have interest from teams potentially trading for Brandon Aiyuk. And we may actually find out tonight because the 49ers have been very clear internally and externally. They would like a first-round pick for such a talented receiver. And the reality is this has been the market."
RELATED: Several teams
How Brandon Aiyuk reacted to 49ers drafting Ricky Pearsall; New WR exited to play with Brock Purdy
By David Bonilla
Apr 25
New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a teammate of Brandon Aiyuk for one season (2019) at Arizona State. It was Aiyuk's final season with the Sun Devils and Pearsall's first, before transferring to Florida after the 2021 season.
Now, the two are teammates again after the 49ers selected Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick.
Speaking to reporters after the first round, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that they received a text from Aiyuk after the pick was made.
"Fire pick. Can't lie," Aiyuk said in the text, much to Lynch and Shanahan's delight.
Shortly after hearing his name called, Pearsall spoke to reporters via Zoom and was asked about his relationship with Aiyuk.
"We
