A recent report indicates that the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement on a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, with the wide receiver nearly ready to sign off. However, one significant obstacle remains. Over the past few weeks, the potential trade of Aiyuk by the 49ers has been the hottest topic in the NFL. Contract negotiations between Aiyuk and the 49ers have stalled, with the young star reportedly requesting a trade late last month. While the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns were initially seen as frontrunners, the Pittsburgh Steelers have now emerged as the leading contender.
Although there has been little news lately, a new report brings a significant update on the Steelers’ pursuit of this blockbuster trade.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday, “The Steelers and 49ers have a deal in place for a potential trade, and Pittsburgh is in a strong position on an Aiyuk contract. If San Francisco gives the final approval, it’s a done deal.” However, Rapoport also noted that the 49ers have yet to hear back from Aiyuk on a contract offer they’ve made. While the trade is almost finalized, the primary holdup is the 49ers’ decision to move forward.
According to The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini, the Steelers have been waiting for several days to hear from the 49ers about the potential trade. On Monday, rumors surfaced that the Steelers are prepared to offer Aiyuk a contract worth around $28 million annually, placing him among the top five highest-paid wide receivers in 2024. The inability to secure Aiyuk’s agreement on a contract extension is reportedly where the Browns and Patriots fell short in their efforts.