(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Every year at this time, the NFL is filled with speculation and drama about which athlete isn’t feeling the love from their organization and is requesting a bigger contract or a trade.
This season, the drama involves current San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk has been vocal about getting a significant raise and has also asked to be traded.
Initially, San Francisco looked like it was playing hardball and making the receiver play out his existing contract.
However, in the past week, several rumors have circulated that the Niners are shopping Aiyuk to other teams.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network recently shared the latest gossip.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: As the Brandon Aiyuk turns… pic.twitter.com/3pJUAv7pFc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 10, 2024
After explaining that Aiyuk had interest from the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns, Rapoport said that “…it seems the Pittsburgh Steelers are the most likely destination. They made a strong trade offer and they have made a strong contract offer to Brandon Aiyuk.”
Rapoport also stated that a trade to Pittsburgh isn’t certain and that Aiyuk could remain in San Francisco.
The Niners drafted Aiyuk with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft from Arizona State.
In his four years with the organization, the receiver has caught 269 passes and 25 touchdowns.
Those stats include a career-high 78 receptions in 2022 and 75 last season.
A regular talking point among media members is how the Niners would compensate for potentially losing Aiyuk’s down-field ability.
San Francisco may have been planning for such a scenario when the franchise selected receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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