(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
After months of speculation and a seemingly endless negotiation process that has gone nowhere, the San Francisco 49ers and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could be on the verge of parting ways, with a trade potentially on the horizon ahead of the 2024 NFL regular season.
Although the 49ers brass have maintained a desire to sign Aiyuk to a lucrative long-term deal, making him one of the highest-paid receivers in the game, San Francisco’s plan may have been to trade him all along, as his asking price might’ve been too high for what they are willing to pay.
On Tuesday, the Aiyuk saga in the Bay Area got even more interesting, with potential trade candidates emerging as possible destinations for the 27-year-old rising star.
Although initial reports claimed that the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns were in the running to trade for Aiyuk, NFL insider Josina Anderson says it might be more like New England and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been linked to Aiyuk for quite some time.
The #Steelers and #49ers are involved in talks over WR Brandon Aiyuk again, per source—as @AdamSchefter reported first.
Adding: I’m told they’re “working on it. It’s a lot of back and forth.” https://t.co/komawXe1Hf
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 6, 2024
Each team linked to Aiyuk has a need at the wide receiver position with the Browns and Steelers in the best position to contend right away with the addition of the talented wideout.
The Patriots are currently in rebuild mode, with the team recently drafting quarterback Drake Maye out of the University of North Carolina, but they could use a player of Aiyuk’s caliber to give the rookie a consistent target downfield to start his career in New England.
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