Reports: 49ers taking trade calls for Brandon Aiyuk, frameworks in place

Aug 5, 2024, 4:44 PM | Updated: 8:11 pm

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Update: The 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk appear to be headed towards a split, with details emerging of potential landing spots this evening.

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reported that the frameworks for two potential trades for the star wide receiver have emerged: The Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots. SF reportedly gave Aiyuk and his team have been given permission to speak with the Browns, Patriots, Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers over a potential contract extension. But in the end, only New England and Cleveland presented enough for the 49ers to accept.

The Patriots would be sending a package of a “veteran wide receiver”, and draft capital, for Aiyuik’s services. WR Kendrick Bourne has been identified as a speculated target in any deal. The former 49er, Borune is coming off an ACL tear in 2023.

Meanwhile the Browns’ offer includes the consistent Amari Cooper.

Copper, 30, is a 10-year NFL veteran, taken by the (Oakland) Las Vegas Raiders in the 2015 NFL Draft. The wideout is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, bringing in 72 catches and six touchdowns in the process.

The deal would also include draft capital, per Maiocco.

Now it is up to Brandon Aiyuik to decide: Does he want to remain a 49er by declining those offers from other teams? Or, remain with the 49ers and take their best offer?

After months of miscommunication, both sides will now look to find a happy ending to this Mexican standoff of contract negotiations before Week 1 of the 2024 preseason.

Original Story:

Things are certainly heating up in the 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk saga, with reports now indicating trade calls have been made for the star wide receiver.

The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports Monday that the San Francisco 49ers have taken trade calls for Aiyuk over the past few days, but that a deal has not been agreed upon at this time. While the interested parties have not been confirmed, reports include the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers as frontrunners for Aiyuk’s services.

As of Monday, the Steelers are seen as the team most likely to acquire his services, but a deal has not come to fruition as of now.

“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 Barrows and The Athletic Monday.

While it’s mostly speculation, other credible sources have cited similar sentiments. The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo have stated that a trade has not been completed, but that signs seem to be pointing to Aiyuk being dealt, rather than extending his contract with the 49ers. NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry has also heard the Pittsburgh chatter, believing it to be less outlandish than some believe it to be.

Other 49ers’ insiders have also swayed their opinions over the past several days, believing a trade could be a real possibility if the two sides cant agree to an extension.

“I think Brandon is having a difficult time figuring out exactly what he wants,” NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco said on KNBR Monday. “I think he requested the trade without really wanting it to go through. He just wanted to increase the pressure on the 49ers.”

No, Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t traded this afternoon.

Yes, there are signs that could change as the saga continues in San Francisco. @MikeGarafolo and I had some things to say about it on The Insiders on @nflnetwork: pic.twitter.com/DHN97yoA78

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 5, 2024

More on 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk, 26, has been in a contract saga with the Red & Gold since the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Rocklin native posted career numbers last season, making his first All-Pro team. He also finished first in yards per catch (18.3) in the NFL.

The 49ers have a history of getting deals done leading into training camp (Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa). Many signs had pointed to the same outcome occurring with Aiyuk and his agents this offseason.

Reports indicated a deal was near completion at the conclusion of April and May. But then things changed, with the WR market exploding around the 49ers. That, in turn, led to a change of heart by Aiyuk, seeking market value for his talents.

As of the start of training camp, both sides are at an impasse, with the Red & Gold unwilling to meet their players’ demands.

Despite this, the 49ers had been reluctant to deal their wideout, seeing his as a core piece of the future. Reports stated the Red & Gold were looking for a first-round pick, plus more, to consider trading Aiyuk during the 2024 Draft.