Breaking: Veteran $30 million WR lists Commanders, Steelers as his top choices to join as current deal fall through
Aiyuk has named the two teams he wants to play for if things with the 49ers fall through
Brandon Aiyuk, a veteran wide receiver for the 49ers, has expressed interest in teaming forces with the Washington Commanders and their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. He also mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential alternative.
“If not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commanders uniform,” Aiyuk stated on “The Pivot” podcast. “If not a Washington Commanders uniform, probably Steelers uniform.”
With Daniels looking on, Aiyuk discussed the prospect of joining Daniels in Washington if he and the 49ers parted ways. Aiyuk is now set to play under his fifth-year option this season, but he has said that he wants a contract extension. Aiyuk’s asking price is apparently holding up a prospective extension with the 49ers, who have previously stated that they want to keep Aiyuk.
“Shit, there’s a quarterback right there,” Aiyuk exclaimed, glancing at Daniels. “I am thinking about what I can do with him. If the Niners do not want me to return to play for them, I am considering what I can do. “I know what I can do.”
This is not the first time Aiyuk has been linked to Daniels or the Commanders. Last week, Aiyuk informed Daniels that the 49ers “don’t want me back.” Aiyuk has also lately stated that the 49ers do not want him. He recently responded to a rumor stating that the 49ers and Commanders had discussed a possible deal involving Aiyuk prior to April’s NFL Draft, but it never gained serious traction.
“But I thought the Niners was never tryna trade me?” Aiyuk posted on Instagram about the report.
Aiyuk has been linked to the Steelers, who reportedly held trade talks with the 49ers during the draft to acquire him or fellow wideout Debo Samuel. The Steelers are looking for a top-tier wide receiver to replace Diontae Johnson, who was traded to Carolina earlier this offseason.
Aiyuk did have a meeting with the 49ers on Monday, which allegedly went well (via NFL Media), thus the 49ers have no plans to move Aiyuk, the team’s leading receiver over the last two seasons. However, no extension has been agreed to.
The two sides were reportedly close to getting a deal done earlier this offseason, but that was before the receiver market skyrocketed after Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Nico Collins each signed hefty new extensions.
Given what has recently transpired, it’s likely that Aiyuk wants an extension that is similar to the ones his peers recently signed, which would pay him somewhere in the ballpark of $30 million annually. Aiyuk, who is currently slated to make $14.124 million this season under his fifth-year option, has a projected market value of $26.5 million annually, according to Spotrac.
At this time, it appears that Aiyuk and the 49ers have reached a standstill. Either the two parties will reach an agreement, one side will cave in, or there will be a breakup, either in the shape of a prolonged holdout or a swap.
Given his previous comments, it’s evident that Aiyuk wants to re-sign with the 49ers, play alongside Daniels in Washington, or continue his career with the Steelers in Pittsburgh. It’ll be interesting to see how everything plays out.
