The contract drama surrounding 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been escalating for weeks, and now the Super Bowl participant is officially open to trades. A favorite has now withdrawn from the race.
According to information from ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers are ready to consider trade options for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. At the start of training camp, a trade had been ruled out. Aiyuk and his agent are free to negotiate a follow-up contract with another team.
According to the report, the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots are particularly interested. However, the Patriots have now finally withdrawn from the poker game for the All-Pro receiver. ESPN also reports this.
According to reports, New England wanted to make Aiyuk one of the five highest-paid receivers in the league. Now there will be no trade to the Northeast. It is not known whether Aiyuk or the Patriots declined.
There is no certainty that Aiyuk will leave the 49ers. The NFC champions are said to be willing to keep their best receiver from 2023 if no corresponding trade offer is received.
“Former teammate”: Did McCaffrey let something slip?
However, the signs pointing to a departure are increasing. In an interview on Tuesday, running back Christian McCaffrey called Aiyuk his “former teammate.”
“Brandon is a great player and it’s very difficult to get better when you lose a great player,” said coach Kyle Shanahan, analyzing the situation. “We have to consider everything. We have to understand the situation we’re in and that takes time. So we hope that in the long run it’s the best thing for him and for us.”
Aiyuk will enter the final year of his contract with the 49ers in 2024. Last season he had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He is guaranteed $14 million in the final year of his contract. This is obviously not enough for him.
