The offseason saga surrounding San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation looks to be ending soon.
According to reports, the storyline that’s dominated headlines since the end of last year is now creeping towards its end, with Aiyuk facing a big decision.
Brandon Aiyuk Contract Dispute Nearing Its End
The twists and turns of Aiyuk’s offseason are exhausting and well-documented. The young wide receiver made it clear that he wants a new deal and is unwilling to play without one.
With that fact understood, it has set up a standoff that has lasted the entirety of the offseason and has now bled into the 2024 campaign as well.
However, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Aiyuk’s options are now clear, and he must choose his path.
Update on Brandon Aiyuk:
— The Steelers and #49ers have a deal on a potential trade and PIT is in a good place on an Aiyuk contract, sources say. If SF gives the final sign-off, it's done.
— SF has an offer out to Aiyuk on a long-term deal for him to stay. He hasn't accepted. pic.twitter.com/ZepVTfv4Nj— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2024
“The Steelers and 49ers have a deal on a potential trade and PIT is in a good place on an Aiyuk contract, sources say. If SF gives the final sign-off, it’s done,” says Rapoport.
The insider also adds that the 49ers have presented an offer to Aiyuk, and he just hasn’t accepted it yet.
“SF has an offer out to Aiyuk on a long-term deal for him to stay. He hasn’t accepted,” Rapoport said.
Aiyuk’s choices are clearly laid out for him. With the 49ers seemingly just needing to give their final OK on the trade, it comes down to Aiyuk choosing to accept the deal San Francisco has offered him or accepting the terms that facilitate a trade to Pittsburgh.
Many teams have been thrown into the potential mix for Aiyuk and his services, with reports that the Patriots made an aggressive offer to acquire him. However, the one constant throughout the offseason was that the Steelers appeared willing to do what it would take to acquire the playmaking wide receiver, and Aiyuk had a mutual interest in them, as well.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
With the regular season just three weeks away, the time for a solidified plan for Aiyuk and the 49ers appears to be now.
The storyline that has dominated the offseason appears to be in its final chapter. With closure one way or another on the horizon, all parties involved can finally get back to focusing on the play on the field sooner rather than later.
What an Aiyuk Trade Could Mean for Both Teams
The 49ers have made it clear all offseason that they want to keep Aiyuk in the fold. Publicly, the organization’s message has been welcoming towards the young wide receiver.
However, if a trade is completed, it certainly changes things for a good San Francisco offense, but it’s not something they didn’t prepare for, either.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
As the ups and downs of this contract saga unfolded, the 49ers made sure to keep themselves covered in case Aiyuk was no longer with the team. The biggest sign that they were preparing was the decision to draft Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round of this year’s draft.
San Francisco was prepared to have Pearsall complement Aiyuk if they could line up in the same offense together. However, if Aiyuk were to leave, Pearsall’s strengths and play style could suit the 49ers well as an Aiyuk replacement. The former Gator is quick, shifty, and a high-level route runner who is excellent at attacking the football.
A lot of what Pearsall does well, Aiyuk does too. The combination could be a real problem for opposing defenses. Unfortunately for the 49ers and Pearsall, however, the rookie wide receiver has been battling injuries in training camp.
Meanwhile, for the Steelers, the addition of Aiyuk could be a game-changer. The Steelers added a lot to their offense this offseason with an eye towards improving on that side of the ball, and another playmaker in Aiyuk could help them achieve that goal.
At quarterback, the Steelers signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields, who could still have some untapped upside. With an offense that already has George Pickens, Jaylen Warren, Pat Freiermuth, and now potentially Aiyuk, the Steelers could be considered a playoff threat in the AFC.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season during his tenure in Pittsburgh, and with a new focus on acquiring talent this offseason, 2024 brings as much anticipation as any in recent memory.
Adding Aiyuk to that mix only strengthens that belief.
Niners Improve Contract Offer, Aiyuk Would Prefer To Stay in San Francisco
As the situation between the Niners and Aiyuk continues to drag on, both sides have revisited contract negotiations. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Niners have improved their offer to Aiyuk and are close on several terms of the deal.
Garafolo also mentions that Aiyuk would prefer to stay in San Francisco. While it appears that both sides are closing in on an agreement, nothing is certain just yet.
According to Garafolo, both the 49ers and Aiyuk have sent contract proposals to each other within the last week. “They have agreed on a lot of the main points of the deal, their offers are in line,” Garafolo said regarding the negotiations. “But it sounds like there’s just one more thing that needs to be ironed out.”
The Niners are no strangers to dealing with this type of situation, as they went through a similar scenario with Deebo Samuel in 2022. Therefore, there is a reason to be optimistic that San Francisco and Aiyuk will be able to finally agree to a long-term contract extension.
Join Theo Ash: Your Football Opinion
Listen to the Your Football Opinion with Theo Ash! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Find us on the Pro Football Network YouTube Channel!