Report: 49ers more likely to trade Brandon Aiyuk than sign WR to extension

The San Francisco 49ers and star wideout Brandon Aiyuk have been at a standstill in contract negotiations, but it appears there’s a resolution on the way.

Contract extension talks remain stalled and according to Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, it is now more likely that the 49ers will trade Aiyuk to another team rather than sign him to an extension. While multiple teams have interest in the 26-year-old, a deal is not currently in place, per Garafolo and Pelissero.

“As fluid a situation as I can recall recently,” Garafolo wrote Monday on X. “Feels like we’re getting closer to a resolution with Brandon Aiyuk and the #49ers but not there yet.”

Aiyuk, the 2020 first round pick (25th overall) out of Arizona State, hauled in 75 receptions for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. He earned a second-team All-Pro nomination. For his career, he has tallied 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 scores. The 49ers picked up Aiyuk’s fifth-year option last offseason, guaranteeing him $14.12 million in 2024. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Brandon Aiyuk, Pittsburgh Steelers a perfect match?

Multiple unspecified teams have been permitted to reach out to Aiyuk’s agent in regard to agreeing to a contract extension should a trade come about. One team which has been linked to Aiyuk throughout the offseason is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers currently have a logjam at the receiver position, but no clear No. 2 option next to George Pickens. Pittsburgh notably traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and released Allen Robinson earlier this offseason. In addition to Pickens, Pittsburgh has Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller and Calvin Austin III all in the mix.

None of those players have the track record and talent of Aiyuk, who would further help transform Pittsburgh’s offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Steelers general manager Omar Khan, asked specifically about Aiyuk ahead of training camp, said he hasn’t had any conversations with the 49ers.

“I can tell you amongst the 32 GMs we all talk, we all have conversations,” Khan said. “But believe it or not, it’s still early in the process here.”