Kyle Shanahan: 'Nothing has changed' regarding 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk as Steelers linked to WR
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — With San Francisco unable to reach a long-term deal with Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers have given the star receiver permission to talk to other potential suitors.
Now the question is whether there's a team Aiyuk wants to play for that is willing both to give him the lucrative contract he's seeking and the 49ers enough compensation in a trade to make something happen. If not, Aiyuk might end up staying in San Francisco whether with a new contract or on a fifth-year option.
For now, the situation remains status quo despite swirling rumors about Aiyuk's status.
“I’m not going any specifics with offers, contracts, trades, anything like that. But what I can tell you guys is nothing has changed,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “A lot was out yesterday and stuff, but from the situation that we’re in with Brandon, nothing’s changed."
NBC Sports Bay Area reported Monday night the Niners have agreed to potential deals with Cleveland and New England that could happen if Aiyuk was willing to agree to a long-term deal with those teams.
Aiyuk reportedly would prefer a deal with Pittsburgh, but the Steelers would also have to meet the 49ers asking price for one of their top players.
Shanahan said he doesn't expect a resolution to be imminent.
“You always want it to be. Badly,” he said. “But this stuff does take time. Every day I hope it gets resolved. But I have no timetable on it. It didn’t surprise me coming into this. ... Hopefully it will get resolved sooner than later."
Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason program, including a mandatory minicamp in June, as he waited for a lucrative extension to replace the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
He reported to training camp in late July after making a trade request but has refused to practice. He is attending team meetings and is not being fined.
Aiyuk had been set to play on the fifth-year option worth about $14.1 million this season and wanted San Francisco to make him the latest receiver to cash in with a long-term deal. Ten receivers before Aiyuk had signed contracts worth at least $70 million already this offseason with Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension with Minnesota setting the top of the market.
Aiyuk had been a key part of San Francisco’s offense last season as he formed a great connection with quarterback Brock Purdy. Aiyuk had 75 catches and a career-high 1,375 yards last season with seven touchdowns as he earned second-team All-Pro honors.
