Former NFL head coach Herm Edwards, who coached Brandon Aiyuk at Arizona State, is close with both San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and the wide receiver. While Edwards didn't divulge much about the conversations he's had with Lynch and Aiyuk amid their ongoing contract dispute, he did make one thing clear: both sides still want to reach an agreement.
Aiyuk is set to earn $14.124 million in 2024 under a team-exercised fifth-year option. However, he is seeking to become one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers, aiming for an annual salary closer to $30 million. Earlier in the offseason, the 49ers reportedly offered Aiyuk $26 million per year but have not budged from that offer since.
Frustration over the stalled negotiations led Aiyuk to request a trade before reporting to training camp, and the receiver has refused to practice until the situation is resolved. This week, the 49ers granted Aiyuk's agent permission to negotiate with other teams, including exploring a contract and trade. While teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns remain in the mix, no significant developments have occurred.
"I don't want to get in the middle of it, but I do know this: I think both parties would like this (a deal) to get done, bottom line," Edwards said Thursday on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game.
When asked if he believes Aiyuk still wants to play for the 49ers, Edwards immediately responded, "Absolutely. Brandon likes to win, and he wants to win. And why not? You're on a winning team, and you got a team that, obviously, every year, is picked ... to go to the Super Bowl to represent the NFC. And they've been close."
The New England Patriots were once considered a frontrunner to trade for Aiyuk and reportedly made a strong contract offer. However, Aiyuk likely turned them down, which derailed the trade. With the Patriots seemingly rebuilding under a first-time head coach and a rookie quarterback, the situation is less desirable than it once was.
This week, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if there's still a scenario in which a long-term deal with Aiyuk could be worked out.
"There's a scenario for everything, so I wouldn't rule anything out," Shanahan replied.
