Report: Brandon Aiyuk rejected trade between 49ers, Browns for Amari Cooper
As the rumors swirled about a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade, the San Francisco 49ers reportedly had one in place. However, the star wide receiver rejected it.
San Francisco and the Cleveland Browns had plans in place for a deal centered around Amari Cooper, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reported. The 49ers also would’ve received a second-round pick and a fifth-rounder in the deal.
The problem, according to Maiocco, was that Cleveland wasn’t on Aiyuk’s list of preferred destinations. Therefore, the trade fell through.
The Browns floated around as a potential destination for Aiyuk over the last week as the former Arizona State star searches for a long-term contract and Maiocco reported they were a team with the “framework” of a deal in place. Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski was also asked about the chatter on Tuesday and said he’d keep his conversations with Cooper quiet and wouldn’t comment further on the reports.
“I don’t get into reports,” Stefanski said. “Respectfully, I understand the questions but really just focused on today.”
The latest report about Aiyuk’s situation comes after NFL Network reported the 49ers had a “renewed interest” in signing him to a new contract – which drew a strong response from Aiyuk on social media. As San Francisco works through potential trade options, Tom Pelissero said the franchise wanted to get a wide receiver in return as part of a deal, and it hasn’t happened to this point.
One destination, which reportedly is where Aiyuk “prefers,” would be the Pittsburgh Steelers. They reportedly have been active in negotiations, but nothing has come together. There’s also another team on Brandon Aiyuk’s list of teams – the 49ers. That’s important as the franchise reportedly restarts talks.
“How exactly did we get here? Well, a couple of weeks ago – with Aiyuk holding in and no end in sight – the 49ers began to survey the trade market,” Pelissero said Friday night. “Several teams entered into the negotiations both with the 49ers and with Aiyuk’s agent on a contract. There was San Francisco looking for a wide receiver as part of any trade. The Steelers didn’t have one to give, but it became plenty apparent over time that that was Aiyuk’s preferred destination.
“At that point, Mike, the 49ers started checking with other teams. Could you get a wide receiver from somebody else while trading Aiyuk to Pittsburgh? The prices were high if people would be moved, at all. … Those two options still remain to be seen in terms of is it the 49ers on a new deal [or] is it a trade in Pittsburgh? But we do appear to be coming to a head here.”