Late plot twist could now see San Francisco 49ers hang on to All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk
Most of the reports around Brandon Aiyuk over recent days have pointed to the All-Pro wide receiver leaving the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers gave Aiyuk permission to speak to other teams about a contract and reportedly agreed trade frameworks with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots following a long impasse in talks over […]
Most of the reports around Brandon Aiyuk over recent days have pointed to the All-Pro wide receiver leaving the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers gave Aiyuk permission to speak to other teams about a contract and reportedly agreed trade frameworks with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots following a long impasse in talks over a contract extension. The Patriots dropped out of the running after seemingly being spurned by Aiyuk.
Negotiations have continued with both the Browns and the Steelers, but a late plot twist may now see Aiyuk remain with the Niners.
Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report reported that Aiyuk had a sit-down meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan and others in the organization. Schultz said that "some open and candid thoughts were expressed" and that the two sides have since restarted talks aimed at coming to terms on a contract extension.
Shortly after, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the 49ers had in recent days made a renewed effort to sign Aiyuk to a long-term deal, having previously been unwilling to improve on an offer of $26 million a year made back in May.
Pelissero then added that the Niners are "pushing to get a deal done" and that "things are moving" with the negotiations.
It is a substantial about face from a 49ers organization that previously appeared prepared to trade the man who led the team in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, earning second-team All-Pro honors last season.
But the signs that this could be coming were there.
A report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini that claimed the 49ers had still not received a satisfactory trade offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers, seemingly Aiyuk's preferred destination in a trade, indicated that a departure was far from a sure thing.
San Francisco was said to want a receiver in a deal to send Aiyuk to Pittsburgh, though the 49ers were reported to be open to players at other positions.
Yet outside of George Pickens, whom the Steelers likely have no appetite to trade, Pittsburgh does not have any wideouts that would appeal to San Francisco.
And the longer this stage of the saga has gone on, the more it has become apparent the 49ers are unlikely to get a return that would sufficiently mitigate the impact of losing Aiyuk.
The outcome that has always made the most sense for San Francisco is to find a middle ground with Aiyuk. Now, things appear to be moving towards such a resolution.
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