While the San Francisco 49ers appear to have the NFL’s best and most talented roster, there is one situation they’re currently dealing with that could single-handedly derail their hopes of winning the Super Bowl this year.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been looking for a lucrative contract extension that would be in line with the ones some of the league’s top wideouts have gotten recently, but the Niners don’t seem to be willing to give him such a deal.
Aiyuk therefore recently asked to be traded, and as training camp moves along, the rumors that he will actually get dealt are picking up.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that has been rumored to be in the running for Aiyuk, but Jordan Schultz tweeted that nothing is imminent between the two teams right now.
Sources: There is currently no trade in place for All-Pro WR Brandon Aiyuk to the #Steelers.
I’m told the #49ers have had discussions in recent days regarding a potential Aiyuk trade with several teams, but as of this post — nothing is finalized. pic.twitter.com/1yVcANp1LR
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 5, 2024
These rumors involving the Steelers date back to before this year’s draft.
They could certainly use a very skilled and productive wide receiver such as Aiyuk, but the 49ers haven’t been inclined to listen to trade offers.
With the start of the regular season slowly approaching, they may be getting to a point where they will have to at least consider moving him.
He has been at training camp, but he hasn’t been participating in practice, and some have characterized the situation as a “hold-in.”
Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and at age 26, he should have plenty of high-level football left in him, not to mention potentially some more growth and development.
