Albert Breer shared an interesting tidbit in his latest column for Sports Illustrated. Like many, the NFL insider is eager to see a resolution to the ongoing drama in Santa Clara. Brandon Aiyuk remains with the San Francisco 49ers as both sides continue to negotiate a contract extension.
Aiyuk requested a trade before reporting to training camp, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are still very interested in acquiring the talented playmaker. Reports suggest they have a trade framework in place with the 49ers and an offer on the table for Aiyuk.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have also extended a contract offer, reportedly larger than what they offered months ago. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo recently mentioned that Aiyuk and the 49ers are close to finalizing a deal, with the only remaining obstacle being a minor detail in the fourth and final year of the contract. This suggests that a resolution could be imminent.
Of course, we have heard that before.
As for the competing contract offer, Breer notes that the Steelers' proposal would pay Aiyuk less than $28 million per year, placing Pittsburgh "right in the neighborhood" of San Francisco's offer.
"As it stands, the situation is still unstable," Breer wrote (h/t Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find). "If the Niners could've gotten a player via a deal with the Steelers (Pittsburgh refused to give one up, so it'd have to have been in a corresponding trade), there's a chance Aiyuk would be in Pittsburgh now. And although things have certainly gotten sideways between him and the Niners, no doors have closed on a return."
Breed added, "That, in fact, still seems like the most likely conclusion to this saga."
If the contract offers are similar, Aiyuk may opt to stay with the team that made him the No. 25 overall pick in 2020 and compete for a Super Bowl.