Maybe Brandon Aiyuk won’t leave San Francisco after all.
The NFL Network reported Friday that the 49ers are “pushing to get a deal done that keeps” their star in San Francisco long-term. The report, citing unnamed sources, said there have been renewed efforts by the team in recent days to get Aiyuk on a long-term contract. The report did not suggest that a deal was imminent, but that “something is moving.”
Aiyuk responded to the report in a reply to a post on Instagram, writing, “Brad the Niners are in the media every day lol there are two options out there, pick one and just stop reporting.”
The 26-year-old Aiyuk, who caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season, had requested a transfer in July. Earlier this week, the team gave him permission to talk to other teams, with the Browns, Patriots and Steelers all being potential suitors. The Patriots later withdrew from the race, though that apparently came after Aiyuk said he wasn’t interested.
(Related: Why the NFL doesn’t have to worry about the Patriots anytime soon)
With New England out of the running, all eyes are on the Browns and Steelers. The Browns have also been given permission to negotiate a deal with the receiver, NBC Sports Bay Area reported. The team is expected to trade the former Pro Bowl wide receiver Amary Cooper in a deal for Aiyuk, Cleveland.com reported.
Aiyuk has been involved in a contract dispute with the 49ers for most of the offseason, so there is a chance he could leave San Francisco shortly after the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Would it be a risky move if Brandon Aiyuk left the 49ers?
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