Brandon Aiyuk (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
In the 2024 NFL Draft run-up, trade speculations abounded, with standout wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers heading into his contract year. However, the draft has already passed, and Aiyuk is still a 49ers player.

John Lynch, the general manager, and the organization hope that holds true for the near future. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the 49ers are trying to work out a long-term extension and have no interest in trading Aiyuk despite the impending contract concerns.

“It doesn’t seem like that is in the cards, at least right now,” Rapoport said of the 49ers dealing Aiyuk. “The 49ers are moving forward with Brandon Aiyuk on their roster.”

Now, the only objective is getting their star receiver signed to a contract extension.

Similar well-known receivers have recently inked enormous contracts; one such player is DeVonta Smith, who inked a three-year, $75 million contract. However, Smith has never been named an All-Pro; thus, Aiyuk could be able to set more significant goals.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Brandon Aiyuk may be aiming for a contract extension between $25 million and $28 million, which is the wage range of Smith and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“You have DeVonta Smith with the Philadelphia Eagles — about $25M annually. You got Amon-Ra St. Brown, a little more than that, say about $28 million over the first three years. You figure that Brandon Aiyuk will be somewhere in there.”

While there were rumors of a trade request amid stalled extension negotiations, Aiyuk’s agent, Ryan Williams, denied those reports last month.

In 2023, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, via ESPN.com. For the first time in his career, he was named an All-Pro, and he appeared to have replaced Deebo Samuel as the 49ers’ primary wide receiver on the depth chart.

Brandon Aiyuk Sent Cryptic Messages About Potential Steelers Trade

Brandon Aiyuk (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk has seemingly been trying to work a trade with any team since he wasn’t getting his contract.

It wasn’t until the Steelers rumor appeared that Aiyuk decided to send a “cryptic” social media message when he tweeted head coach Mike Tomlin.

When Aiyuk tweeted, tagging Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, that’s truly when it all started. Following this, a tidal wave of opinion pieces speculated whether or not Aiyuk was indicating his desire to be traded to the Steelers.

Aiyuk explained the reason for his tweet—that he was trying to have fun—on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.

“Every day while you’re under negotiating/contract talks, every day is like a different day,” said Aiyuk. “I wake up, and they’re talking about another team again. They’re talking about another team that they got me being in trade talks.
“So, if everyone is saying ‘this and that,’ let me go ahead and put out one of my little spots.

And I reverted back to Tomlin so we can have a little bit of fun with it. It’s all it is. It’s all in fun. That’s where the Tomlin tweet came from.”