The San Francisco 49ers are now open to trade offers for Brandon Aiyuk, granting the star wide receiver permission to negotiate contracts with other teams, sources reveal. This marks a notable shift for the 49ers, which previously resisted trade talks at the start of training camp.
Both the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns have shown interest and reached out to the Niners about Aiyuk. The Pittsburgh Steelers were also interested initially but are no longer considered potential trade partners, according to sources.
The Patriots have been pursuing Aiyuk for months, with progress moving slowly on their end. First-year head coach Jerod Mayo declined to confirm whether the Patriots have been authorized to negotiate with Aiyuk but acknowledged speaking with current New England receiver Kendrick Bourne, whose name has surfaced in trade discussions.
“It was a good conversation. Once again, I feel like the story is much further along than anything else,” Mayo said Tuesday before the Patriots’ practice. “I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air. I believe in being transparent with the players and setting their minds at ease.”
The situation remains fluid and could result in various outcomes, including Aiyuk remaining with the 49ers and playing out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, which would pay him $14.124 million. Other teams are willing to pay Aiyuk more than twice as much, but he has so far balked at multiple offers.
The 49ers also need to be satisfied with any trade compensation. As reigning NFC champions, they are keen on not jeopardizing their Super Bowl aspirations and will only consider a trade if they receive a player of significant value in return. On Tuesday, Nick Wagoner reported that interested teams have become more open to including both players and picks, which has made the 49ers more receptive to a deal.
The 49ers reportedly “negotiated the framework of trades” late Monday night, which would send Aiyuk to either the Patriots or the Browns, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. Aiyuk, 26, arrived at the 49ers’ training camp but has not practiced while he seeks a new contract.
The Patriots’ pursuit of Aiyuk dates back to February when executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf expressed his desire to “weaponize the offense.” After selecting Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, the Patriots aim to surround the former North Carolina quarterback with more talent to aid in his development. Earlier, in March, New England attempted to sign free agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who ultimately joined the Tennessee Titans on a four-year, $92 million deal.
How many touchdowns does Brandon Aiyuk have this year?
Brandon Aiyuk had a solid 2023 season, finding the endzone seven times. His contributions as a receiver were crucial to the San Francisco 49ers’ success.
What kind of receiver is Brandon Aiyuk?
Brandon Aiyuk is a versatile wide receiver with a strong combination of speed, route-running ability, and physicality. He’s shown the capacity to excel both as a deep threat and as a reliable target in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Aiyuk’s ability to make contested catches and break tackles after the catch makes him a dangerous weapon for any offense. His role in the San Francisco 49ers’ offense has evolved over the years, showcasing his adaptability as a receiver.
