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The proverbial ball is now in the court of star NFL wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk after the San Francisco 49ers reportedly agreed to a pair of trades involving the Arizona State product.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that San Francisco has agreed to the framework of deals with both the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns involving Aiyuk.
The 26-year-old is seeking a new contract after catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago.
Thus far, Aiyuk has not taken part in 49ers training camp and he’s teased multiple moves away from the team, including one that would see him team up with star rookie QB Jayden Daniels in Washington.
“The 49ers have negotiated the framework of trades that would send wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns or the New England Patriots,” Maiocco writes. “Now it’s up to Aiyuk to determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises, the source said. The 49ers gave permission to Aiyuk to negotiate potential contracts with the Browns, Patriots, Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers.”
Neither the Commanders nor Steelers have agreed to a deal with San Francisco, per Maiocco.
Brandon Aiyuk Said He And 49ers Are ‘Pretty Far Apart’ On New Contract
“If I were to take a guess, probably a Niners uniform,” Aiyuk said on The Pivot Podcast when asked where he thinks he will be playing his football this season.
“Probably a Niners uniform, but if not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commander uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, then probably a Steelers uniform.”
“Throughout this process, there have been times when we’re super close,” Aiyuk added. “I’m telling my agent ‘Let me get my suit ready, I’ve got to get it back to the Bay. I got to get right to sign that contract.’ There’s days and times, like in the past month or so, where you could say we’re pretty far apart.”