San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk fans trade speculation flames with his latest social media post
The likelihood is that Brandon Aiyuk will remain a member of the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. But until a contract extension for the All-Pro wide receiver is finalized, fans will be nervous about losing him. And posts like the one Aiyuk made on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday will hardly help the nerves. Following […]
The likelihood is that Brandon Aiyuk will remain a member of the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
But until a contract extension for the All-Pro wide receiver is finalized, fans will be nervous about losing him.
And posts like the one Aiyuk made on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday will hardly help the nerves.
Following a report from 93.7 The Fan's Andrew Fillipponi that the Pittsburgh Steelers have interest in Aiyuk, the 2020 first-round pick elected to stoke the flames with a message to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on X.
Aiyuk's post read: "@CoachTomlin they saying we twins. What you think?"
The post was undoubtedly just Aiyuk having a little bit of fun amid the speculation, and the reality is the 49ers are going to make it very difficult for any team to trade for their leading receiver.
Aiyuk, who is set to play on his fifth-year option in 2024, was the subject of interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Mia O'Brien of 1010XL.
However, O'Brien followed up by reporting that the Niners wanted the Jaguars' first-round pick (17th overall) and Zay Jones in exchange for Aiyuk, with that asking price leading to talks "fizzling out".
Between his excellent production over the last two seasons, the fact he is only 26, his massive value to the 49er offense and his outstanding rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, there are several reasons why San Francisco's apparent demand of at least a first-round pick in any negotiations over an Aiyuk trade is perfectly understandable.
With Aiyuk under contract for one more year and with any interested parties having just over a month until the draft to offer the 49ers capital they could use this year, San Francisco is in an excellent bargaining position. General manager John Lynch has repeatedly indicated the 49ers have no desire to part with Aiyuk, while it was reported at the Combine that talks over an extension would start after free agency.
The bulk of the 49ers' free agency business done, so negotiations may well be underway already. Unless a team makes an offer that would allow the 49ers to set themselves up for the future with a satisfactory package including a premium pick, the likely outcome is that Aiyuk, just as Deebo Samuel did in 2022 after a contract saga that saw him request a trade, will sign an extension and remain a 49er.
But, at this point in the offseason, who can blame him for having a little fun?
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