Things have taken a turn regarding Brandon Aiyuk. According to Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the San Francisco 49ers, once optimistic that the star receiver would remain in red and gold for a long time, are now more likely to trade the disgruntled wide receiver.
The report states that the 49ers have granted multiple teams permission to speak with Aiyuk's agent about a contract extension and trade.
Nick Shook of NFL Media wrote that, according to the two NFL insiders, "Multiple unspecified teams have been granted permission to speak with Aiyuk's agent with regard to hammering out a contract extension, should a trade precede it."
He added, "Multiple teams are in play for the ascending receiver, but a deal is not in place at this time, per Garafolo and Pelissero."
Brandon Aiyuk more likely to be traded than sign extension with 49ers; no trade in place (per @MikeGarafolo + @TomPelissero) https://t.co/QNnzvHudpq pic.twitter.com/hnRNvG0RR8
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 5, 2024
Matt Barrows of The Athletic echoed the report, noting, "Multiple teams have contacted the San Francisco 49ers with interest in trading for receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but so far nothing has been agreed to, a league source told The Athletic on Monday."
On Monday afternoon, a sketchy rumor suggested a trade deal between the 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers had been struck. Multiple reputable sources have since refuted that report.
"At this point, though, there is no deal in place with the Steelers or anyone else, regardless of reports that have circulated around the internet, according to Garafolo and Pelissero," Shook noted.
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: The latest on Brandon Aiyuk, who is still a member of the #49ers as of right now. pic.twitter.com/qdVyoZOYuU
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2024
Unsatisfied with the lack of progress in the contract extension negotiation process, Aiyuk requested a trade before reporting to training camp. He has not participated in practices, essentially "holding in" while avoiding the fines that would have been incurred had he not reported.
While Aiyuk has expressed a desire to play for Washington, Garafolo notes that the Commanders have not yet been in play for the receiver.
Aiyuk is scheduled to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on a team-exercised fifth-year option but seeks a deal that would make him one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers, a contract that might cost a team around $30 million annually.