The NFL offseason was rife with rumors, none more persistent than the future of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. What started as a possible exit scenario for the disgruntled receiver ended with a dramatic retention, culminating in a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the defending NFC champions.
A trade to Steelers that almost was
The story, as reported by Jay Glazer of Fox NFL Sunday, almost resulted in Aiyuk joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers, along with two other teams, had expressed significant interest in acquiring the All-Pro player. According to Glazer, on the crucial day, the 49ers were in the process of finalizing the trade to Pittsburgh. However, Aiyuk's unexpectedly early arrival at the team's facility that day led to a different series of events.
This story is WILD. 🤯
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024
According to @JayGlazer, Brandon Aiyuk called off a trade to the Steelers in the eleventh hour to stay with the 49ers!
Kyle Shanahan told Aiyuk that he had to make a decision by the end of practice on the day the deal got done. Aiyuk chose to stay in San… pic.twitter.com/CAXBHXLOEO
Aiyuk sought a meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan, who, upon learning of Aiyuk’s presence, raced to intercept the front office communications. “The 49ers were trading him to the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Glazer reported. “And then all of a sudden, Brandon Aiyuk happened to show up early to the facility that day.”
With the trade on the verge of completion, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch had a prolonged discussion with Aiyuk. They presented him with a final ultimatum: accept the standing contract offer by the end of practice, or pack up for Pittsburgh. Faced with this stark choice, Aiyuk declared his preference to stay, thereby sealing his future with the 49ers.
The fact that Aiyuk decided to stay with the 49ers instead of accepting the trade to Pittsburgh suggests a severe lack of confidence in the Steelers. Brock Purdy has established himself as a top-tier quarterback. Russell Wilson is washed and Justin Fields hasn't lived up to his first-round draft status through his first three career NFL seasons.
For now, Aiyuk remains a critical asset for the 49ers. His performance has steadily improved over the years, culminating in a 2023 season where he registered 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming quarterback Brock Purdy’s primary target. His 2022 season was also impressive, with 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.
Drafted 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Arizona State University, Aiyuk has lived up to the scouting reports that highlighted his playmaking abilities. Now, at 26 years old, he has firmly established himself as one of the premier receivers in the league.
Luckily for the Ravens, the Steelers weren't a destination Aiyuk wanted to relocate to. The Steelers could definitely use a WR2 alongside George Pickens and there's no denying Aiyuk would make them much more dangerous. It's fair to question if the Steelers had a better quarterback situation, would Aiyuk have been more willing to be moved?
We'll never know. Aiyuk will suit up for the 49ers on Monday Night Football as the Niners take on quarterback Aaron Rogers and the New York Jets.