Decision day might have finally arrived for Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers.
According to multiple reports, Aiyuk holds contract offers from the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He hasn’t accepted the offer from the 49ers, and remains a non-participant in practice over his dissatisfaction with his contract status.
The Steelers were permitted a window to discuss a long-term contract with Aiyuk and settled on trade terms with 49ers general manager John Lynch, NFL Network reported Tuesday, should the 49ers decide to trade him.
Amid stalled contract talks with the 49ers, Aiyuk was pursued by the New England Patriots and Steelers. NFL Network and ESPN reported Aiyuk declined the trade to New England.
The No. 25 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk is scheduled to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on the fifth-year team option linked to his rookie deal.
Aiyuk, 26, topped the 49ers with 75 receptions and 1,342 yards and caught seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023.
He has 269 catches for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns in 62 career games (60 starts).
The wide receiver contract market has exploded recently and Aiyuk wants to ride the wave.
Miami Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill renegotiated his contract to boost his salary to $30 million per season in each of the next three years. Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract, and the Philadelphia Eagles reworked the deal of A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million) to lift his annual salary to $32 million. Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown also landed a huge contract with a salary of just over $30 million per year.
Aiyuk has been attending the 49ers’ training camp to avoid fines, but not practicing. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, players who don’t report are subject to fines of up to $50,000 per day.
The Steelers need a quality starting receiver opposite George Pickens after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March.
–Field Level Media