The ongoing situation surrounding 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may be nearing completion.
But he may not be wearing a Niners jersey after all.
Aiyuk and the 49ers have been embroiled in a contract dispute that has been stalled for some time and will likely end with a trade for the receiver. The NFL Network reported.
Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension but the two sides have not been able to come to any agreement and things are in jeopardy.
Network sources Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero have suggested there are several teams “making moves” to acquire Aiyuk, but no deal has been made as of yet.
Reports surfaced early Monday afternoon that the 49ers were planning to trade Aiyuk to the Steelers, but multiple NFL sources, including Garafolo and Pelissero, have disputed the reports.
The Browns and Patriots were considered the front-runners for Aiyuk, but The Athletic reported.,
Several teams have been given permission to discuss contract extensions with Aiyuk’s representatives in case a trade is made possible.
Still, the 49ers aren’t going to let the receiver go for free.
Aiyuk is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and rushed for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
He is set to make $14.124 million in 2024, the final season of his rookie contract.
The 26-year-old officially requested a trade in July but did attend training camp.
He has not participated in team activities during the waiting period but is still involved.
The 49ers have publicly stated their intention to keep Aiyuk with the team, with general manager John Lynch telling reporters last month that he expects the receiver to be “an integral part of our team.”
