Trade rumors involving Brandon Aiyuk: 49ers, Steelers not in agreement despite rumors
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s report on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers have not reached an agreement to trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to Pittsburgh. The 49ers and Steelers are still in talks about a potential deal. Schultz pointed out
Pittsburgh’s Andrew Fillipponi’s 937 The Steelers reportedly had “a verbal agreement in place” for an Aiyuk trade, according to a prior story from The Fan. The 49ers allowed Aiyuk to negotiate a new contract with four teams, including the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Steelers. NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco earlier reported
Maiocco wrote Monday that the Browns and Patriots had “negotiated the framework” of a potential trade for Aiyuk.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the following day that the Patriots had dropped out of the running for the star wideout after the team “decided not to explore any further trade possibilities with the 49ers.”
Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport then reported that the Steelers had been holding conversations with the 49ers about Aiyuk as of mid-day Tuesday.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin added to the speculation Wednesday when he smiled following a question about whether the team was looking to add to its receiver room.
“I’ll let you guys speculate on that,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers may still be pursuing Aiyuk in the hope of adding another target for projected starting quarterback Russell Wilson, but it sounds like more work is needed for the Steelers to land the receiver.
That work could involve hammering out a new contract with Aiyuk, who has been reportedly seeking an extension that would include a raise from the $14.1 million base salary he is currently set to earn in 2024.
Aiyuk is heading into his fifth NFL season after recording a career-high 1,342 receiving yards for seven touchdowns with the 49ers last season. He would be likely to become a top receiver in either Cleveland or Pittsburgh should either team finalize a trade for him.
