Throughout the offseason, the San Francisco 49ers have been at the center of trade rumors involving their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk has been vocal about his desire for a significant contract extension, leading to an ongoing dispute with the team.
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This disagreement prompted Aiyuk to request a trade, pushing the 49ers to explore their options, albeit reluctantly. Recently, speculation around a potential trade has intensified, particularly with interest from several AFC teams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns are the frontrunners linked to Aiyuk, each having spoken with the 49ers about possible deals. While no trade has been finalized, it appears a significant offer was on the table.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the 49ers nearly reached an agreement with the Browns that would have exchanged Aiyuk for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and prominent wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Ultimately, the deal fell through because Cleveland was not on Aiyuk’s list of preferred teams for a potential move.
“The 49ers negotiated a trade with the Browns, which involved acquiring veteran receiver Amari Cooper along with draft picks for Aiyuk. However, since Cleveland wasn’t one of Aiyuk’s desired destinations, the trade didn’t go through,” Maiocco stated.
A potential trade involving Aiyuk and Cooper would have created significant buzz in the NFL, as player-for-player trades of this nature are rare. The 49ers clearly have intentions to secure a notable receiver in exchange for Aiyuk.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
With Cooper’s name brought into these trade discussions, it raises the possibility of him being dealt elsewhere, suggesting Cleveland has broader plans beyond just acquiring Aiyuk.
If a trade isn’t reached, Aiyuk may remain with the 49ers, as negotiations for a contract extension have resumed. He could still find a long-term future in San Francisco despite the turmoil.
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Aiyuk is currently attending the 49ers’ training camp but is participating in a “hold-in,” a strategy that allows him to avoid fines while still making a statement to the team.
The situation is still evolving, with trade and contract discussions ongoing, hinting that a resolution might be on the horizon.