What hasn't happened in the drama between the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk? The disgruntled pass-catcher requested a trade in mid-July just as NFL training camps were beginning to get underway. It seems like a match made in heaven for General Managers Omar Khan and John Lynch to eventually agree to a deal involving Aiyuk, but things got even more complicated on Friday evening when it was reported that the wideout had recently reengaged with the organization that drafted him about returning on a lucrative extension.
Kelley L Cox / USA Today
49ers General Manager John Lynch embraces wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the field at Levi's Stadium during a San Francisco home game.
An Instagram page dedicated to following the 49ers, The SFNiners, posted an image of Aiyuk and detailed the report that came out from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The #49ers have made a renewed effort in recent days to strike a long-term deal with WR Brandon Aiyuk, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 9, 2024
The situation is fluid and other teams, including Pittsburgh, are still in the mix. But a return to SF appears increasingly possible.
In a shocking turn of events, the wide receiver called out his current team in a comment on the social media platform.
"Brad, Niners be in the media everyday lol, it’s two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports simple," Aiyuk commented.
This is an insanely interesting twist to this saga. No one is quite sure what is true and what isn't at this point. The Steelers are patiently waiting, and it's not out of the question that the 49ers leaked some more information in order to try and gain leverage in negotiations. Aiyuk's comment on Instagram tells fans that Pelissero's report isn't exactly accurate.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
Aiyuk referencing two options could either mean that he needs to be traded or given what he believes he is worth from a contract perspective, or what Steelers fans may want to hear. One scenario could be re-signing with the 49ers, while the other could most certainly be finally agreeing to trade him to Pittsburgh. It seems as if a new development regarding this situation comes out every hour or so, making it one of the more interesting headlines of the offseason.
Associated Press
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk runs out of the tunnel prior to a San Francisco 49ers' game.
Steelers Are Patiently Waiting For 49ers To Agree To Trade Terms
Pittsburgh has dominated the NFL news cycle throughout the 2024 offseason. It began with a brand new quarterback room, but has now transitioned to a wide receiver situation that has captivated fans around the league. Khan likely believes he has a winning deal, and is holding position while he waits for San Francisco to cave. It could come sooner rather than later.
Do you think that the 49ers are purposefully leaking false information? Let us know in the comments below!
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