Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots have decided not to pursue any further trade discussions with the San Francisco 49ers regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
Aiyuk’s Hold-In and Current Status
The Patriots were one of three teams, along with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, that had been in contact with the 49ers about a potential trade for Aiyuk. According to sources, New England had been trying to acquire Aiyuk for months and was willing to make him one of the top five highest-paid wide receivers in terms of average salary per year.
Aiyuk, a second-team All-Pro and the 49ers’ best receiver in 2023, was at the team facility on Tuesday but did not participate in practice due to his ongoing hold-in. He has been seen watching practices from the sideline during the team’s first 11 training camp sessions but has not been spotted doing so in recent practices. However, Aiyuk has been attending meetings and participating in them regularly.
49ers Grant Negotiation Permission
The 49ers confirmed on Tuesday that they permitted Aiyuk to negotiate with other teams but mentioned that a deal to keep him in San Francisco is still possible.
“It’s been at this point for a little bit, so nothing really new to me,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday. “You’re always disappointed when you can’t keep hold of all your players or it’s not going exactly right. I don’t like losing anybody, so that’s why I’m hoping it does work out here. But right now, we don’t have that solved yet. I hope it does.”
Several outcomes are possible, including Aiyuk staying with the 49ers and playing out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, which would pay him $14.124 million. Other teams are willing to pay Aiyuk more than twice that amount, but he has so far turned down multiple offers, according to sources.
The 49ers need to satisfy their requirements for trade compensation, and sources told ESPN that the reigning NFC champions are ready to keep Aiyuk if necessary.
“Brandon’s a great player, so it’s real hard to be better when you lose a great player,” Shanahan said. “We’ve got to look into anything. We’ve got to understand the situation we’re in, what that looks like, and it does take time — so hopefully, it’ll all work out the best for him and the best for us in the long run.”
Resumed Talks with Steelers
While talks between the Steelers and 49ers had stalled as of Monday night, they resumed discussions on Tuesday in what remains an evolving situation that still involves other teams, according to sources.
When asked about reports linking the Browns to Aiyuk and whether he could help Cleveland, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “I don’t really get into reports or speculate. … I’m really just focused on today and practice.”
Stefanski also mentioned that he would keep any conversations with Cleveland wide receiver Amari Cooper, whose name has surfaced in hypothetical deals for Aiyuk, private.
Aiyuk, a first-round pick by the 49ers in 2020, had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
This report used information from ESPN.
