Brandon Aiyuk, the disgruntled wide receiver of the San Francisco 49ers, may soon find himself in a new home as trade negotiations heat up with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers have laid the groundwork for potential deals with both the Browns and Patriots. Now, it’s up to Aiyuk to secure a long-term contract with one of these teams.
The 49ers have given permission for the Browns, Patriots, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers to engage in talks with Aiyuk’s agent. However, the Commanders have bowed out of the trade discussions, and the Steelers have balked at the 49ers’ trade demands.
Amidst the trade drama, Aiyuk has opted to hold out from practicing at the 49ers’ training camp. His decision stemmed from dissatisfaction with the sluggish progress of contract negotiations. Aiyuk, who is set to earn $14.124 million on a fifth-year option, is seeking a deal that reflects his market value. He aims to land a contract similar to the 21 receivers currently making an annual average of at least $20 million.
Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com has reported that the Browns have the financial flexibility to accommodate Aiyuk under their salary cap, potentially involving Amari Cooper in the trade.
As the trade talks unfold, Aiyuk remains in limbo, waiting to see where he will land next in his NFL career. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing saga.