Brandon Aiyuk

As the wait continues for a resolution to Brandon Aiyuk's contract standoff, the odds appear to have moved in favor of the San Francisco 49ers keeping their star wide receiver.

Appearing on the Saturday morning SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler explained the 49ers have a "slight edge" to retain Aiyuk rather than trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers:

"The 49ers are engaged in contract talks with Brandon Aiyuk and his representatives. They are hopeful that they can get a deal done. Pittsburgh remains on standby, they would like to trade for Brandon Aiyuk, they have parameters in place, but trade talks, I'm told, really over the last week, have been pretty quiet. Sources I've talked to that thought maybe this was a coin flip a week ago believe that San Francisco probably has a slight edge, maybe 60-40, something like that. Executives I've talked to around the league do expect the 49ers to end up signing him to an extension, it might be in that $30 million per year range, maybe slightly less, but here's the thing. I'm told he's got some needs that need to be met in that contract that have not yet, so they're trying to hash that out."

This comes on the heels of 49ers general manager John Lynch saying Friday on KNBR (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra) that they feel the "urgency" of the situation with Aiyuk, but he didn't want to "going to characterize any chances or anything" of a deal getting done.

The situation seems to be that Aiyuk will play for the 49ers or Steelers this season. He has been a hold-in since training camp opened on July 25.

Fowler reported on Wednesday those two teams have agreed to the parameters of a trade that could be finalized with one phone call, but the Niners are still trying to work out a long-term deal with Aiyuk and they don't really want to move him.

Aiyuk has been fairly quiet throughout this process, but he did chime in on Aug. 9 with a response on Instagram to a report about the 49ers making a renewed effort to sign him. He wrote there are "two options" available—either trade or sign him—and they need to "pick one" to settle the situation.

Per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Steelers' extension offer to Aiyuk is worth $28 million annually.

The 49ers were reportedly offering him around $26 million earlier this offseason, but NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted on Tuesday they have increased their offer and the two sides aren't far apart.

Aiyuk has established himself as the No. 1 receiver in San Francisco. He has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two seasons, including a career-high 1,342 yards in 2023.

The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are reportedly close to reaching an agreement on a long-term contract extension.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo revealed that Aiyuk and the 49ers have agreed on the first three years of a possible extension, although the receiver wants the team to make an adjustment to the non-guaranteed fourth year of the deal (h/t Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area).

Garafolo previously reported on Tuesday that both sides "aren't that far apart" on a new contract.

He added that the 49ers and Aiyuk had one more point in negotiations that needed to be "ironed out" before the contract could be signed, and it appears that progress has been impeded by the final non-guaranteed year of the proposed deal.

Aiyuk has been reporting to training camp in San Francisco, although he hasn't been participating in practice with his teammates due to the lack of a long-term extension. He's currently set to earn $14.1 million in the final year of his rookie contract.

The 49ers have discussed trades with opposing teams, although Aiyuk rejected a move to the New England Patriots. He also passed on a trade to the Cleveland Browns, which would have sent Amari Cooper to San Francisco (via NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco).

While the front office has entered trade negotiations with several teams, 49ers general manager John Lynch also expressed interest in retaining Aiyuk on Friday.

"I'm always hopeful. I'm an optimistic person [by] nature, and so I'm always hopeful that we get there and get there soon," Lynch said during an appearance on KNBR's Murph and Markus (h/t ESPN's Nick Wagoner). "I can tell you we feel the urgency to have him. The season is approaching."

As San Francisco's Week 1 clash with the New York Jets on Sept. 8 gets closer, it seems as though Aiyuk and the front office are nearing the end of contract discussions.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch understands the importance of having Brandon Aiyuk on the roster for the 2024 season as the star receiver continues his hold-in waiting for a resolution to his contract standoff.

Appearing on KNBR's Murph and Markus show on Friday (h/t Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk), Lynch explained the 49ers "feel the urgency" to keep Aiyuk:

"I can tell you this: It's been a long, arduous, hard process, our journey. We started this early and, for whatever reason, haven't been able to get it across the finish line. That's been frustrating. But the communication, still, has been really good, both with Brandon and his agent, and we're trying to figure out solutions. I'm always hopeful. I'm an optimistic person [in] nature, and so I'm always hopeful that we'll get there and get there soon. I can tell you we feel the urgency to have him. The season's approaching, and we have ample time."

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Lynch did note the two sides are still talking, but he didn't want to "characterize any chances or anything" about when a deal might happen.

Aiyuk has been holding in since the 49ers opened training camp. The move allows him to be around the team as they prepare for the regular season without getting fined, but he has yet to participate in any official team activities.

It seems like the options for Aiyuk at this point are down to the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots were previously reported to have interest in trading for the 26-year-old wideout, but they don't seem to be involved anymore.

On the Aug. 9 episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 7:25 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported Aiyuk rejected a trade to the Patriots due to concerns about their quarterback situation even though they were willing to pay him a deal around $32 million per season.

NBC Sports Matt Maiocco reported on Aug. 9 that Aiyuk also turned down a trade to the Browns that would have sent Amari Cooper and two 2025 draft picks to San Francisco.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the 49ers and Steelers have agreed to trade parameters for Aiyuk and a deal is "one phone call away" if San Francisco wants to make a move.

However, Fowler noted the Niners are trying to work out a long-term extension with Aiyuk and they don't want to deal him. He will earn $14.1 million this season, the final year of his rookie contract.

It's understandable why the 49ers don't want to make a rash trade decision involving Aiyuk. He has established himself as an essential piece for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

Aiyuk earned All-Pro second-team honors in 2023 after recording a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and ranking second in the NFL with 17.9 yards per catch.

As the clock keeps ticking toward the start of the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers are still working to find a resolution with both Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams.

Appearing on KNBR's Colbert and Topes show on Thursday (h/t David Bonilla of 49ersWebZone.com), 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan explained "nothing has changed" with Aiyuk at this point.

"I feel like we've been in the same situation for a while, so there's still plenty of options, plenty of directions that can happen, and we're still trying to get to the bottom of it and figure it out, but nothing has changed in that way," Shanahan said.

There was a little more optimism when Shanahan talked about Williams' status amid his contract holdout, but no indication that a resolution is imminent.

"We're having a lot of discussions with his agent," he said. "Trent's not here right now, obviously not at camp. I believe he's in Houston, but I'm not sure. But we're talking with his agent a lot, and hopefully, we can figure it out. As I've said the whole time, I am optimistic we will, but, of course, the sooner, the better."

Aiyuk's situation has been the primary focus of attention around the 49ers throughout the offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that San Francisco has agreed to the parameters of a trade that would send Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the reigning NFC champs are still trying to work out a long-term extension with the All-Pro wideout.

On Monday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported the Steelers' contract offer to Aiyuk was around $28 million per season.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the 49ers haven't gone through with a trade at this point because the two sides "aren't that far apart" on an extension.

There has been much less drama around Williams' situation, in part because there's no indication the 49ers are looking to trade him. The three-time All-Pro has been holding out since the start of training camp while seeking an adjustment to his contract.

Williams is signed through 2026 but there is no guaranteed money remaining on the deal. Christian McCaffrey was in a similar situation earlier this offseason before signing a two-year, $38 million extension in June.

Both Williams and Aiyuk are essential pieces of the 49ers offense. Aiyuk, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two years. He led the team with 1,342 yards in 2023.

Williams is widely regarded as the best offensive tackle in the NFL. The 36-year-old has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with the 49ers. He has been an All-Pro first-team selection in each of the past three seasons.

The 49ers will open the regular season on Sept. 9 against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.

Legendary San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice suggested Tuesday night that a decision regarding Brandon Aiyuk's status could be made Wednesday.

Rice posted a photo of Aiyuk on Instagram and included the caption: "I guess we will all find out tomorrow GOATS! Will he stay or leave!"

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Trade rumors involving Aiyuk have dominated the NFL news cycle for over a week, and it looks as though there are now two potential outcomes.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com's Eric Edholm) reported Tuesday that the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to the framework of a trade involving Aiyuk, but the Niners have made Aiyuk a contract offer as well and are awaiting his decision.

Aiyuk, 26, is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, but he has made his desire for a new deal abundantly clear.

He requested a trade due to a lack of movement in contract talks with the 49ers, but it sounds as though they are making a last-ditch effort to retain him.

Aiyuk enjoyed a career year in 2023, setting a new career high with 1,342 receiving yards to go along with seven touchdowns on 75 receptions for a Niners team that went all the way to the Super Bowl.

He led the 49ers in all three major receiving categories, establishing himself as quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target over wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle.

The 49ers have seemingly prepared for life after Aiyuk, as they selected wide receiver Ricky Pearsall late in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, but trading Aiyuk away would strike a major blow to their group of offensive weapons.

As for the Steelers, they completely overhauled their quarterback room in the offseason, parting ways with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky, and bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Pittsburgh has one dynamic wide receiver in the fold in George Pickens, but after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, it clearly needs a wideout to complement Pickens.

Aiyuk would likely be the perfect fit, and if he gets traded, every indication is that he will be going to the Steelers.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported as much on Saturday, suggesting that the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots were out of the running despite prior interest.

The Steelers play in a stacked division in the AFC North, as they were one of three teams in the division to reach the playoffs last season.

Most are picking them to finish last in 2024 behind the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, but Aiyuk is the type of addition that could help shift the balance of power.

Brandon Aiyuk might not get traded after all.

The San Francisco 49ers and the star wideout are reportedly close to an agreement in extension talks, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who noted that Aiyuk would "prefer" to remain with the team and has "always preferred" to stay with the Niners.

He added the two sides have "agreed on a lot of the main points" in negotiations, save for "one more thing that needs to be ironed out, and if that thing gets ironed out, Aiyuk signs the deal and remains with the 49ers."

Garafolo didn't specify what the sticking point was in the contract talks, however.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that the Niners and Pittsburgh Steelers have the framework of a trade in place for Aiyuk—and that the Steelers are in a "very good place" in extension talks with the star wideout should that deal go through—but that San Francisco's own extension negotiations with Aiyuk have have kept the deal from being finalized.

So to recap: The Niners have a trade in place with Pittsburgh should they fail to negotiate an extension with Aiyuk, but those talks continue and the two sides are reportedly close on a new deal that would keep the wideout in the Bay Area.

It would appear we are nearing the end of a long saga that started over Aiyuk's displeasure after not receiving an extension this offseason. The result has been a trade request, a hold-in at training camp, actual trade talks and enough rumors for a follow-up Fleetwood Mac album.

Losing Aiyuk would be a tough blow for a Niners team with Super Bowl aspirations. The 26-year-old was San Francisco's top weapon out wide last season, registering 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.

Normally, an extension would be a no-brainer, but the Niners are already paying Nick Bosa the largest contract for a defensive player in football and will need to lock up Brock Purdy on a lucrative extension next offseason, alongside having Trent Williams holding out as well during training camp and plenty of other key players to pay.

They are facing a salary-cap crunch, in other words, and signing Aiyuk to a contract in the ranks of the other top receivers in the game would make balancing the books a difficult endeavor.

Thus, two paths for the Niners: A trade with the Steelers, or an extension with Aiyuk. We are perhaps finally, and mercifully, close to the team picking a resolution to this situation.

While wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues to hold in for a new contract from the San Francisco 49ers, a resolution could be coming soon.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 49ers "have a deal on a potential trade" with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Aiyuk. The Steelers reportedly are "in a good place" regarding a contract offer for the wideout, and the deal is just waiting for the 49ers to give "the final sign-off." Rapoport added that San Francisco has made a long-term contract offer for Aiyuk to stay, but he has yet to accept it.

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It's unclear what's causing the holdup in negotiations between Pittsburgh and San Francisco, but Aiyuk would reportedly receive the pay increase he's been seeking if the deal gets done. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on Monday that the Steelers' contract offer to Aiyuk "was around $28 million per year that several other receivers (DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Amon-Ra St. Brown) got this offseason."

However, Breer pointed out that Pittsburgh doesn't "have geographic appeal" the same way the New England Patriots didn't when they offered "a deal in excess of $30 million per year."

The Athletic's Dianna Russini noted that the Steelers "have been waiting for days to hear from" the 49ers regarding a deal for Aiyuk. She added that Pittsburgh is "just in wait-and-see mode." It was also reported during her Scoop City podcast that Aiyuk hasn't been definitive in deciding which team he wants to suit up for in 2024 and beyond.

"From what I was told, the player hasn't really been easy to work with in terms of what he wants, which I don't think is breaking news there because he seems to be a little bit all over the place. 'I want to be in San Francisco, I really want to play here, but no I actually want to play for Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh,'" Russini said.

Still, things appear to be inching toward a resolution, as the Steelers are just waiting for the 49ers to pull the trigger on their deal for Aiyuk.

Confusion about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's preferences has reportedly contributed to the San Francisco 49ers' inability to get a trade done so far this preseason.

Speaking Tuesday on the Scoop City podcast (beginning at the 12:03 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini said the following about Aiyuk's situation:

"From what I was told, the player hasn't really been easy to work with in terms of what he wants, which I don't think is breaking news there because he seems to be a little bit all over the place. 'I want to be in San Francisco, I really want to play here, but no I actually want to play for Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.'"

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For more than a week, the trade rumors surrounding Aiyuk have run rampant with ESPN's Mike Reiss reporting that the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have been among the main teams to show interest.

NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco reported last week that the Niners had the framework for an Aiyuk trade in place with both the Browns and Patriots, and finalization of the deal was contingent on which team Aiyuk would be able to agree to a new contract with.

Maiocco added that the Steelers were either unable or unwilling to meet the 49ers' asking price for Aiyuk.

The 26-year-old Aiyuk is coming off a career year, as he led the Niners in receptions (75), receiving yards (1,342) and receiving touchdowns (seven), setting a new career high in receiving yards.

While the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option in Aiyuk's contract for 2024, he has been in search of a new deal, and his trade request was born from the Niners not signing him to an extension.

Aiyuk could have had the deal he desired in New England, but Russini reported last week on Scoop City that he turned down a $32 million per season offer due to concerns about the Pats' quarterback situation.

Later that same day, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Aiyuk and the 49ers were moving in a positive direction, noting that he had a meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan that led to contract negotiations restarting and "optimism" that the two sides would be able to hammer out a deal.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler then reported that the Aiyuk sweepstakes were "pretty much" down to him either staying in San Francisco or getting traded to Pittsburgh.

The 49ers offer Aiyuk the best chance to win, and it is already clear that he is a great fit in Shanahan's offense given what he accomplished last season and the connection he had with quarterback Brock Purdy.

Pittsburgh offers an intriguing situation as well since Aiyuk would be able to form a strong one-two punch with wide receiver George Pickens, but after quarterback Russell Wilson largely struggled the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, it is unclear if he will be able to turn things around now that he is with the Steelers.

Whether or not Aiyuk is traded is a multi-faceted issue in that he must accept a contract offer from the Steelers or another team, and that team must provide a trade package that the Niners are comfortable with.

If neither of those things happen, San Francisco is seemingly prepared to enter its Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the New York Jets with Aiyuk on the roster.