The latest on the ever-changing 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk saga

Aug 13, 2024, 9:39 AM | Updated: 10:39 am

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 28: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the field prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Update: Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 49ers and Steelers have a deal in place for a potential trade that would send Brandon Aiyuk to Pittsburgh. Additionally, PIT feels they are in a “good place” on a potential contract extension should the trade happen.

All the 49ers have to do is sign-off, and the trade is done.

Lastly, the 49ers have an offer out to Aiyuk for a long-term deal to stay in SF. That offer is still on the table, but as of now, he has not accepted.

Original Story:

The San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk saga has been an ever-changing dilemma for both player and organization alike.

And just when we thought the situation would resolve inself in shortcoming: Nothing has happened.

A whole new week has begun in the 49ers’ standoff with their disgruntled wide receiver, looking to find common ground for all parties involved. And while now believe that to come in the form of a long-term partnership together, the longer this drags on, the longer options remain open for other avenues.

“The Aiyuk saga has had more twists & turns than any offseason story we’ve seen in a long time,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show Monday. “Now it looks like the focus and emphasis is on keeping him in San Francisco.”

“The Aiyuk saga has had more twists & turns than any offseason story we’ve seen in a long time..

Right now it looks like the focus & emphasis is on keeping him in San Francisco..

The 49ers goal is to keep him & we’ll see if they can get a deal done” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/gnVeyDKH22

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 12, 2024

That notion comes after the NFL Network reported late last week that the 49ers have restarted contract negotiations with Aiyuk and his team. The hope was, and is, that the team getting him back to the negotiating table would spark a finalized contract.

As of now, that has not happened.

But, as the season draws nearer and nearer, all parties’ parameters still have to met in order to execute anything. That includes a move elsewhere if the 49ers chose to play ball with Aiyuk’s preferred destination, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

To this point, that is not the case.

“I think Brandon Aiyuk would like to stay in San Francisco but he also wants to get paid,” Schefter stated. “Those other teams were interested in trading for him but they have to satisfy Aiyuk and the 49ers.”

The 49ers are reportedly looking to add a third team into trade talks in order to get a starting-level WR back in an Aiyuk trade. Alas, that may be the hold-up, as the Steelers won’t move off of their top options for Aiyuk’s services.

However, if both teams find fair value in the deal, some insiders believe a deal could be executed in a matter of minutes. That’s partially due to the fact that the player has a deal on the table from his potential suitor already.

“I believe, based on every conversation I’ve had, if the 49ers say [general manager] Omar Khan, Pittsburgh Steelers, deal done, we’re sending him to you. Boom, the deal is done in a matter of seconds, and then the contracts done in a matter of minutes as well,” Mike Garafolo said Monday.

“It’s pretty clear the deal the 49ers offered still isn’t to Brandon Aiyuk’s liking.”

The waiting game continues. But it feels like the Steelers are really REALLY close to pulling it off. pic.twitter.com/61rhajqhvo

— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) August 13, 2024

But why is that the case only a few days after the same network reported the 49ers were looking to get a deal done with Aiyuk?

Well, the improved offer the 49ers countered with seems to not be enough for Aiyuk to put pen to paper, despite reportedly being only a few million apart on annual salary.

“So they did, and they made an offer, and it’s pretty clear by the fact that nothing is done that that offer wasn’t good enough for Brandon Aiyuk’s liking,” Garafolo added.

“And now it’s just kind of seems like it’s stuck in limbo based on every conversation that I have had today. And I think the ball, at this point, is probably in the 49ers’ court. And it’s up to the their side, do they want to pursue the trade, or they want to continue to try to get a long-term deal done with Aiyuk.”

Two options, each with drawbacks in the 49ers’ perspective.

On the one hand, trading him right before the season is a concession of failed contract negotiations. And not hurt for a random player, Brandon Aiyuk is 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s favorite target, seeking him on close to 40% of his throws in the NFL.

And even if the 49ers get “fair value” back to replace their All-Pro wideout, can he or they, learn Kyle Shanahan’s offense in such a time crunch?

It seems rather unlikely.

On the other hand, re-signing Aiyuk to a long-term deal keeps the band back together. A budding 26-year-old pass catcher alongside his offensive-weapon teammate in Deebo Samuel. Not to mention all the other weapons at their disposal offensively. The Red & Gold will be back to firing on all cylinders heading into Week 1.

But, agreeing to up the offer to Aiyuk could tie the 49ers’ hands behind their back down the line. Everything feels like a puzzle for the 49ers’ front office with the salary cap, trying to fit each of their elite talents into this pie chart of money distribution for the next five years.

But what happens if simply, that piece Brandon Aiyuk wants is simply too large for the 49ers’ projections? That would mean other deals could be in limbo down the line.

Consequences come from our actions, both good and bad. Giving Brandon Aiyuk the extra odd dollars (millions) annually, coupled with an enormous amount of guaranteed money and signing bonus, could spell the end for other players’ time in Santa Clara.

Both starting cornerbacks Charvaius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are up for extensions after this season, as well as former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s deal is up after next season, Brock Purdy is going to command a massive contract after 2024.

Oh and let us not forget that Trent Williams is currently at home in Houston, Texas holding out because he wants his final three years of his deal fully guaranteed.

Like I said, consequences come from our actions.

One over-concession of a player’s deal ends another pre-existing one where it stands. The 49ers had to cave to Nick Bosa last year at the 11th hour, giving him the most money ever for a non-QB Consequentially, long-time captain Arik Armstead was out, asked to take a massive pay cut before being released by the 49ers.

This is the business of doing deals with the elite. Everyone wants to get paid top dollar, even if it means a big-time component of the wheel has to go.

Business is business after all, and both the 49ers and players understand that.

In terms of BA’s business, with or after the 49ers, he will get his money, there is no doubt about that. But it may take some time before a resolution is seen, with both player and organization still seemelingly sticking to their guns at the table. Per The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, both player and team are unhappy with how talks have gone thus far, and would still be on rocky terms should a deal come to fruition.

Despite that, Aiyuk’s presence at Levi’s Stadium does suggest a willingness to continue their working partnership, with trust from both front office and coach that of the time comes, he’ll be ready to jump back into football with both feet.

“Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play.”

Shanahan expresses confidence in Aiyuk’s ability to stay in shape during his hold-in pic.twitter.com/j2FS3TehLn

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 12, 2024

“I trust Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “I have a feeling he’s finding a way to stay in shape and do those things. But there’s a football shape element that I know he is eager to get back to and us too. So hopefully we can get to that soon. But Brandon knows what he’s got to do to be in shape for the season and I feel confident he is doing that.”