The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a trade that would send star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers, following months of contract disputes and trade speculation.
Sources indicate that the 49ers and Steelers have agreed on the framework for a deal, with Pittsburgh poised to acquire Aiyuk pending his acceptance of a lucrative contract extension.
This potential move comes after Aiyuk's vocal dissatisfaction with the 49ers' contract negotiations, leading to a hold-in during training camp and a formal trade request just before the season began.
#Steelers remain motivated on a Brandon Aiyuk deal, but trade talks with #49ers were quiet in recent days as S.F. decides whether to extend the WR at a price point he would accept.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 14, 2024
As one source pointed out, the team is ‘one phone call away’ on deal, with parameters in place.
Despite efforts from the 49ers to retain Aiyuk, including multiple long-term offers, the wide receiver has yet to commit, leaving the door open for a trade.
The Steelers have emerged as the frontrunners, offering a deal that reportedly satisfies Aiyuk's demands to become one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers.
Other interested teams, such as the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns, were unable to secure Aiyuk's commitment due to issues with contract extensions and team fit, further solidifying Pittsburgh's position in the negotiations.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk would prefer to stay on the 49ers and is hoping to clear a final hurdle in negotiations before a deal is signed, per @MikeGarafolo
— ninerspride (@ninerspride_) August 14, 2024
SF has a trade in place with the Steelers, but Aiyuk is holding up the deal in hopes of reaching an agreement with 49ers. pic.twitter.com/yLTjqZEA1X
The trade, if finalized, marks a big moment for both franchises. For the 49ers, it would mean parting with a key offensive weapon while potentially acquiring valuable draft picks or assets to address other needs.
For the Steelers, adding Aiyuk would provide a substantial boost to their receiving corps and enhance their offense significantly for the upcoming season.
Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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