Brandon Aiyuk

After the New England Patriots failed to complete a trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk because he reportedly turned down a contract extension offer, head coach Jerod Mayo wasn't sweating the decision.

Mayo addressed how things played out with Aiyuk on Sunday, saying he knows the Patriots have more work to do before they can attract a player of his caliber.

"When we start to win games, guys will want to come here," Mayo said, per Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub. "When we establish the culture, the roster, guys will be excited."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last Tuesday that the Patriots removed themselves from trade discussions with the 49ers regarding Aiyuk. While New England has a crop of unproven wide receivers and could use an injection of star power, the team is "excited" about its current group and wants to focus on developing its young players.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported during an episode of the Scoop City podcast that Aiyuk turned down a contract offer from the Patriots that would have paid him around $32 million annually. The 2023 second-team All-Pro reportedly has concerns over New England's quarterback situation and had a preference to play for a team that would be projected to contend for a playoff spot in 2024 and beyond.

The Patriots are set for a rebuilding year under Mayo, who is in his first year at the helm after replacing longtime head coach Bill Belichick. New England drafted quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick, but he's set to begin his rookie year by playing behind veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett.

It could take quite a while before the Patriots are able to regain their status as an attractive destination for star players. The AFC is stacked with talent, so building New England back into a contender will be a tall task for Mayo and company over the next few years.

Where Brandon Aiyuk will play this season is reportedly down to just two teams.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Aiyuk's options have been narrowed to a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers or staying with the San Francisco 49ers.

"I'm told it's pretty much down to the Steelers and 49ers, him staying in San Francisco, at this point," Fowler said (1:15 mark). "I was told around Thursday the 49ers intensified their efforts to try to re-sign him after some stagnant weeks where he was sitting around waiting to be traded, essentially."

Aiyuk and the 49ers have been in contract disputes all offseason, and it led to the star wide receiver requesting a trade in July. All signs seemed to point to Aiyuk playing the 2024 season with another team, but a recent report indicated that he could remain in San Francisco.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Friday that Aiyuk had a productive meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan and other members of the staff, and the two sides have since restarted negotiations for a long-term deal.

There was initial interest from the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots for Aiyuk, but Aiyuk wasn't interested in being traded to either team. While the options are now somewhat limited, the Steelers could be available as a trade partner should the 49ers choose to go in that direction.

But San Francisco would likely prefer to hold on to Aiyuk after the year he had. He recorded 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns and was a valuable part of the offense that led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.

The Cleveland Browns reportedly offered a veteran wide receiver and a haul of picks for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Per NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco, the Browns were willing to give the Niners Amari Cooper along with second- and fifth-round draft picks in exchange for Aiyuk.

But the lofty haul wasn't enough to get Aiyuk in a Browns uniform, as Cleveland was not one of his preferred trade destinations, according to Maiocco.

Cooper appeared to respond to the rumor on Instagram:

Aiyuk requested a trade from the 49ers in July after offseason contract discussions yielded no result. Earlier this week, Maiocco reported that San Francisco had the framework for trades with both the Browns and the New England Patriots. Cleveland didn't appeal to Aiyuk, while the Patriots ultimately opted out of trade talks with the 49ers. Aiyuk also turned down a trade to New England, citing quarterback concerns.

The third team seemingly in the mix for Aiyuk, the Pittsburgh Steelers, reportedly haven't given the 49ers an offer they like, so they might be off the table.

The list of possible trade partners now appears slim for San Francisco, though a trade might not be needed after all.

On Friday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Aiyuk recently had a meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan and other members of the organization, and "some open and candid thoughts were expressed." Schultz also reported that since that conversation, the two sides have restarted negotiations for a long-term deal.

How far those conversations will go is unclear, but it's at least a step in the right direction for those interested in keeping Aiyuk around.

The fifth-year player is coming off a season in which he notched a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He was a pivotal part of the offense that took the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and they could be in a position to do it again if he returns this fall.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is ready to stop reading trade and contract rumors about himself.

"Niners be in the media everyday lol, it's two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports simple," Aiyuk wrote on Instagram.

Aiyuk was responding to a screenshot of an X post by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, in which the reporter said the 49ers had renewed extension talks with Aiyuk, but that other teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers remained "in the mix."

Aiyuk has been attending 49ers training camp but abstaining from practices as part of his hold-in for a new contract.

The receiver is looking for a new deal that will offer him a raise from the $14.1 million club option he is currently set to receive in 2024, as well as protect him from unrestricted free agency in 2025.

The 49ers gave Aiyuk permission to negotiate a new deal with the Steelers along with the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders, Matt Maiocco reported on Monday for NBC Sports.

Since then reports have flooded in as to the status of these negotiations with each team.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that the Patriots had dropped out of the running for Aiyuk, while NFL insider Jordan Schultz said Friday that the Browns believed it "unlikely" they would be able to acquire Aiyuk.

Schultz previously reported Wednesday that the Steelers did not have a deal in place for Aiyuk despite conflicting reports claiming the wideout was heading to Pittsburgh.

Insiders then began reporting Friday that the 49ers had resumed negotiations with the receiver, and that Aiyuk could instead not be hitting the trade market at all.

Aiyuk was one of seven wide receiver sin the NFL to exceed 1,300 passing yards last season, so he will immediately improve whichever offense he ends up signing with.

If he returns to San Francisco, Aiyuk will join receiver Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings to create one of the top receiver groups in the NFL.

The 49ers' preseason begins Saturday with a tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Aiyuk has even more motivation to hope the rumors end by then, as he is slated to receive around $785,000 in fines for every preseason game he misses during his hold-in, per Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap.

The Cleveland Browns chances at acquiring wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appear to be slim.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Browns "are under the impression that they are unlikely to acquire him in a trade" and that the "situation remains ongoing."

Aiyuk has been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers and previously had been linked to the New England Patriots.

Aiyuk has been the subject of rumors all offseason. He is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is set to make $14.1 million in 2024. The 26-year-old is seeking a lucrative contract extension and the San Francisco 49ers may not be able to meet those demands.

The Patriots were reportedly willing to offer Aiyuk $32 million per season, which would have made him the second-highest-paid receiver in the league. Aiyuk rejected the offer and the trade due to the team's quarterback situation, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Cleveland's demands appear not to have been enough either, and the 49ers have reportedly not been satisfied with the offers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. This could potentially cause the receiver to remain with the team going forward, and Schultz reported that the two sides have "some optimism that Aiyuk could remain in SF."

Aiyuk had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns for the 49ers in 2023. He helped lead the team to a 12-5 record and a Super Bowl appearance as well.

He is currently "holding-in" with the 49ers. San Francisco opens the season on Sept. 9 against the New York Jets.

Brandon Aiyuk's time with the San Francisco 49ers might not come to an end despite his trade request.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Friday that Aiyuk had a sit-down meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan and others and "some open and candid thoughts were expressed." Schultz also reported that the two sides have restarted negotiations for a long-term deal and there is "optimism" he could stay with the 49ers.

Schultz noted that the situation is still "very fluid."

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero also reported that several teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, are still in the mix for a trade, but Aiyuk's return to San Francisco "appears increasingly possible."

Aiyuk and the 49ers have been in trade disputes for most of the offseason, and he officially requested a trade in July. If either a trade or restructured contract isn't the answer, Aiyuk will play on the final year of his rookie deal and earn $14.124 million.

Earlier this week, NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco reported that San Francisco had the framework for deals that would send Aiyuk to either the New England Patriots or Cleveland Browns. Since then, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Patriots were no longer interested in pursuing Aiyuk in a trade, meaning the 49ers trade partners might be limited.

But if San Francisco can figure out a deal that is appealing to Aiyuk, it might not have to worry about finding a trade and can instead hold onto its young star. That would likely be the ideal situation for both parties considering the success they enjoyed last season.

Aiyuk had the best year of his career in 2023, recording 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while helping lead the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance. That standout season warrants a big contract, and it seems he could get it with his current team.

Even though the New England Patriots have reasons to be optimistic about their future at quarterback, Brandon Aiyuk's concerns about that situation reportedly led to him rejecting a trade to the team.

On the Scoop City podcast (starts at 7:25 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that Aiyuk turned down a contract offer from the Patriots that would have paid him around $32 million per season because he "doesn't believe" their quarterback situation is at the level he wants right now.

Russini added that Aiyuk's preference is to play for a team that is capable of making a playoff run immediately.

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported on Monday that the San Francisco 49ers had the framework of a trade worked out with the Patriots and Cleveland Browns for Aiyuk, but it was contingent on the star wideout agreeing to an extension with either club.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have also been mentioned as a potential trade destination for Aiyuk, but Russini reported on Wednesday the 49ers haven't been satisfied with their offers and they want a wide receiver back if they trade the 26-year-old.

Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots ended their pursuit of Aiyuk even though they were willing to make him "one of the top five highest-paid wide receivers" by average annual salary.

A contract worth $32 million per season would have tied Aiyuk with A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles as the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL. Justin Jefferson ranks No. 1 on that list with a $35 million annual salary on his four-year, $140 million extension from the Minnesota Vikings.

Aiyuk has engaged in a hold-in since the 49ers opened training camp while waiting for a resolution to his contract situation. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday he wouldn't rule anything out regarding a trade or keeping Aiyuk and potentially giving him a new deal.

The Patriots are in the process of trying to develop Drake Maye into becoming their starting quarterback, but Jacoby Brissett could enter the regular season as QB1. Maye will almost certainly get the job at some point after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

It would make things much easier for Maye if he had a true No. 1 wide receiver to throw to. The Patriots might find that type of player at some point, but it doesn't seem like it's going to be Aiyuk.

Aiyuk was named to the All-Pro second team last season. He set a career high with 1,342 receiving yards and ranked second in the NFL with 17.9 yards per catch.

As the San Francisco 49ers search for a resolution for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed his perspective on the situation.

Shanahan expressed that he wants things to work out between the two sides, but understands the situation is complicated.

"In a perfect world, you'd love [for Aiyuk and the 49ers to work out a deal]," Shanahan said, per 49erswebzone.com (h/t Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams). "But there's a lot of sides to it. There's us, what we want. It's [also] what he wants. There's a whole contract and stuff to that. It's the tough business part of this league, and some years it can be harder than others. This is a very difficult one, but it's something you're always holding out hope for."

Should he remain with the 49ers, Aiyuk will play on the fifth year of his rookie contract and will earn $14.124 million. He's currently holding in, attending team events but not participating while waiting for either a new contract or a trade.

Whatever the 49ers decide to do, Shanahan is hoping the situation is resolved soon.

"I hope it is sooner than later, but right right now, I don't have any expectations," Shanahan said. "That's kind of how I stay sane and focus on being a good coach for our team. If I sit there, and come in every morning, and expect something to happen, and sitting there just waiting on and thinking about it, that's when I won't do my job the right way as a head coach of this team.

"So I hope it does. Man, that would be awesome to wake up one day and know we have this solved. But I try to come in each day, and unless there's something relevant or something that has happened that I got to be a part of and really discuss, which doesn't happen very much right now, then I'm trying to keep it in back in my mind, kind of out of it, and just focus on the players that are here right now."

Earlier this week, NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco reported that the 49ers have the framework for trades that would send Aiyuk to either the Cleveland Browns or New England Patriots, though the Patriots are now reportedly out of the mix, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

A trade seems more likely than the 49ers finding a deal for Aiyuk, but the question is how San Francisco will get that trade done.