It doesn’t look like the stalemate between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers will end anytime soon.
While Aiyuk and the 49ers have been unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract, Aiyuk and his representatives have yet to find a trade partner.
According to The Athletic, Aiyuk turned down a four-year $128 million contract offer from the New England Patriots due to concerns with the team’s quarterbacks. Journeyman Jacoby Brissett sits atop the Patriots’ depth chart, backed up by rookie first-rounder Drake Maye, and former fourth-round selection Bailey Zappe.
During a recent appearance on the Willard and Dibs radio show, Aiyuk’s personal wide receiver coach, TJ Houshmandzadeh, said that his client would have taken less from the 49ers than what New England has offered.
“You have a team willing to pay [Aiyuk] a little more than $32 million and he’s not even asking that much from his own team,” he said. “You wouldn’t give him $28 million a year, but you’d give him $26 million? That’s nothing!”
The $28 million average annual value would tie Aiyuk with Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams for fourth among NFL wide receivers in salary, trailing Amon-Ra St Brown, AJ Brown, and Tyreek Hill.
The Pittsburgh Steelers remain in the mix, however, the Steelers have been unwilling to match the 49ers' reported asking price of two first-round picks and a receiver who can help replace Aiyuk’s production.
According to PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh, the 49ers have their eyes set on Pittsburgh’s top wideout George Pickens, but the Steelers are unwilling to give up the 23-year-old. Pickens led the Steelers with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns last season.
It seems more likely that the 49ers and Steelers will have to find a third team to make a trade happen. In the meantime, fans of both teams will be waiting on the edges of their seats for a positive conclusion to this ongoing drama.
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