The San Francisco 49ers and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are embroiled in the stalemate of the 2020s. Neither side wants to lose the contractual battle, leading down a windy road of hurt feelings, necessary face-to-face meetings, misinterpreted “bro hugs,” and bitterness.
Every day that passes, a new report details how things have gone wrong between the two parties, or another pundit predicts the eventual outcome.
Currently, there are two options: Aiyuk will either re-sign with the 49ers or board a plane en route to the Pittsburgh Steelers. And that is where things have been for three weeks, both sides with bloodshot eyes, hoping the other will blink, ending the madness.
Into the Mouth of Madness:
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The 49ers’ first offer to Brandon Aiyuk was an estimated 26 million dollars per year, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver via KNBR 680. A fair offer before the receiver market explosion created a frenzy of increasingly impossible standards for the Niners to meet.
San Francisco cannot afford to pay Aiyuk a contract similar to Justin Jefferson’s record-breaking 35 million dollar annual salary, and Aiyuk knows this. It frustrated him to the point of posting a TikTok video stating, “[The 49ers] don’t want me back,” and making an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, listing the three teams he is willing to play for – 49ers, Commanders, and Steelers.
Ultimately, the 49ers’ refusal to meet Aiyuk’s escalating asking price led to the wide receiver requesting a trade. Another demand San Francisco has been reluctant to accept but willing to use as leverage in their negotiations with Aiyuk.
Dangling the Carrot:
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The Niners granted Brandon Aiyuk and his agent permission to discuss contracts with other teams, playing the trade market as a pseudo-free agency. In short, let other teams create a more precise contract value, then swoop in with an offer more akin to Aiyuk’s asking price. And for the 49ers, it not only worked in their favor, but the trade request may have blown up in Aiyuk’s face.
According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, the 49ers had the framework of a trade in place with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. The latter was reportedly willing to pay Aiyuk 32 million dollars, but the receiver refused to sign a contract extension with those teams.
Turning down money over his asking price, Aiyuk activated his leverage by pushing for a trade with the Steelers. The move was bold, but repercussions could lead to a resolution favoring San Francisco.
Nearing the End:
The 49ers kick off the regular season vs. the New York Jets in less than 21 days. The time to sign Brandon Aiyuk is now (shoutout to John Cena), and his contractual value may never favor San Francisco more.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, “The Steelers’ price point was less than $28 million, which put Pittsburgh right in the neighborhood the Niners were inhabiting…That, in turn, pushed Aiyuk back to the table with the Niners.”
After months of posturing and mulling through trade requests, Brandon Aiyuk is back where he started. The 49ers have won the staring contest. They successfully played Aiyuk, letting him work his value closer to a number more comfortable for San Francisco.
When to Expect a Deal:
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While San Francisco is in a much better place with Aiyuk than a month ago, a deal is still waiting to be signed. It is a lingering black eye on an organization gearing up for another, and potentially final, Super Bowl run with the current core.
The pressure is mounting. First-round pick wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will remain snap-less this Preseason after being ruled out for Friday’s finale vs. the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving no temporary replacement for Aiyuk. Future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams is holding out while he awaits a new deal, and San Francisco has yet to see any indication that Aiyuk is ready to end his hold-in.
But that should change soon.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning, “At some point this week, there will be activity here, and we’ll see what that leads to,” when discussing the wide receiver market. Schefter added, “The 49ers wanna get this deal done with Brandon Aiyuk, and they have made him multiple offers…I still think the more likely scenario is that he stays in San Francisco.”
The time for San Francisco and Brandon Aiyuk to strike a deal has passed, yet more so than ever, it feels expected.
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