(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
After steadfastly insisting they would not entertain any trade offers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the San Francisco 49ers have done an about-face over the past couple of days.
The Niners reportedly are now open to such trade offers, and not only might they have the framework of an Aiyuk trade in place with the Cleveland Browns, they also have been talking about a potential deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said that it seems Aiyuk will end up being sent to the Steelers, with the Niners only getting some draft compensation in return.
“It does seem like the eventual outcome is Brandon Aiyuk playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 49ers moving on for some draft picks,” Rapoport said, via 95. 7 The Game.
“It does seem like the eventual outcome is Brandon Aiyuk playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 49ers moving on for some draft picks.”@RapSheet on Brandon Aiyuk
(via @nflnetwork Training Camp Live)
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) August 7, 2024
Such a trade would, in all likelihood, knock the Niners out of Super Bowl contention, at least for this season.
Aiyuk made 75 receptions for 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season, and at age 26 still seems to have some room for growth.
Meanwhile, such a trade could turn Pittsburgh into a dark horse contender in the AFC.
Aiyuk could team with George Pickens to form a very solid wide receiver tandem while giving quarterback Russell Wilson the type of offensive weapons he hasn’t had in a while.
Last season, Pittsburgh, despite some bad play at the QB position, finished 10-7 and made the playoffs, and with Mike Tomlin, they have a head coach who has never finished with a losing record since taking over the team in 2007.
Aiyuk has been looking for a big contract extension since the end of last season, and after talks with the 49ers broke down, he asked to be traded earlier this summer.
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