By Dianna Russini, Matt Barrows and David Lombardi
The San Francisco 49ers have opened up contract discussions with Brandon Aiyuk and his agent, a league supply advised The Athletic on Friday.
The 49ers have spent a lot of this week discussing a possible commerce of their prime receiver, with the Pittsburgh Steelers thought of one of many prime candidates for Aiyuk’s providers. However, in response to a league supply, the Steelers haven’t heard from the 49ers over the past 24 hours.
Aiyuk had been granted permission by the 49ers to speak with different groups, as any commerce by San Francisco could be contingent on the buying group signing Aiyuk to a brand new contract. In accordance with a report Monday by NBC Sports activities Bay Space, the 49ers had agreed to the framework of trades with each the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.
The 49ers, up to now, haven’t been happy with the Steelers’ commerce provides. They want to obtain a participant in any commerce and would favor a receiver, though they’re open to gamers at different positions, league sources mentioned.
I texted a entrance workplace govt:
Q: Why do you suppose the 49ers aren’t calling again the Steelers?
A: In all probability wait so long as they’ll…power somebody to blink. Seems like they actually don’t wish to commerce. Possibly hoping another person comes alongside. The entire thing may be very unusual.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 9, 2024
Why would the 49ers have allowed their prime receiver to barter with different groups and search a commerce? One reply: It was a tactical transfer by the group to interrupt out of their very own stalemate with Aiyuk.
If that’s the case, his latest sit-down with group officers suggests it could be working. By permitting Aiyuk to speak to groups just like the Browns, Patriots and Steelers, it confirmed him precisely what his market seems to be like. The Patriots reportedly had been keen to offer him a wage value as a lot as $32 million per 12 months. However New England is in rebuild mode and Aiyuk might not have needed to work with a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye. The Patriots lately pulled out of the Aiyuk sweepstakes.
The Browns’ quarterback scenario, in the meantime, is unsettled past this season. The Steelers? Aiyuk appeared extra inclined to go there, however Pittsburgh’s commerce compensation, a minimum of up to now, has not been passable to the 49ers and there even have been stories that the Steelers weren’t providing as a lot cash over the lifetime of the contract because the 49ers had been. All of which has led to renewed talks with San Francisco.
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The 49ers, who’ve extra highly-paid stars on their roster than some other group in soccer, might not be capable to provide as a lot cash as New England or different groups. However they nonetheless have him beneath contract and consider there’s inherent worth in taking part in for a title contender stocked with All-Professionals and a rising QB in Brock Purdy.
Aiyuk probably believes this, too — a minimum of to some extent. And his choices are restricted if the 49ers don’t wish to half methods with him. That’s why there was at all times a strong likelihood that talks would warmth again up, as they’ve.
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(Picture: Ryan Kang / Getty Pictures)
