The ongoing contract negotiations for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have taken another twist as he continues to weigh his options.
Aiyuk, who is seeking a new deal, has been in talks with both the 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, with rumors swirling that the Steelers could be a potential landing spot.
However, new reports suggest that the offers from both teams are quite similar, potentially complicating Aiyuk’s decision on where to play when the season starts.
According to Albert Breer of TheMMQB, Pittsburgh’s offer is “in the neighborhood” of San Francisco’s, which has prompted Aiyuk to reconsider staying with his current team.
āThe Brandon Aiyuk situation drags on, and I donāt have a whole lot to add on it,ā Breer reported. āThe San Francisco 49ersā star didnāt want to go to New England, which offered him more than $30 million per year in its proposals, or the Cleveland Browns.
“The Steelersā price point was less than $28 million, which put Pittsburgh right in the neighborhood the Niners were inhabiting – with Mike Tomlinās presence there the drawing card … That, in turn, pushed Aiyuk back to the table with the Niners.ā
Breer revealed that the New England Patriots made a substantial offer to Aiyuk, reportedly exceeding $30 million per year. However, Aiyuk has shown little interest in joining the Patriots.
Aiyuk’s preference to stay with the 49ers has been clear throughout the negotiation process.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo previously reported that Aiyuk has always favored remaining in San Francisco, provided the terms were right.
“What I’ve been told is that Brandon Aiyuk would prefer to stay with the 49ers and has always preferred to stay with the 49ers,ā Garafolo reported on NFL Network.
āAll things being equal. Now, they haven’t been equal, but they did make that offer. In fact, both sides sent proposals within the last, I don’t know, couple of days, a week or so and the 49ers’ number has gotten better than what it was previously. And they have, from my understanding, they have agreed on a lot of the main points of the deal.
āTheir offers are in line, but it sounds like there’s just one more thing that needs to be ironed out and if that thing gets ironed out, Brandon Aiyuk signs the deal. He stays with the 49ers, he drops the trade request and finally we can put this situation behind him, the Niners can put it behind them.ā
If it feels like this saga has dragged on forever, it’s because it has.
The 49ers have one final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday before their Week 1 opener against the New York Jets on Monday, September 9.
What do you think ends up happening with Aiyuk???