49ers icon warns of rocky road ahead for Brandon Aiyuk's future with San Francisco
Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation has become one of the key talking points of the 2024 offseason. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has been the subject of numerous trade rumors, and although none have materialized, there is still a palpable feeling that he could be on his way out of Santa Clara unless a solution is found.
49ers icon and former tight end Vernon Davis believes Brandon Aiyuk will likely leave. Speaking to The Sporting News' Patrick McAvoy, he said:
"Well, you know it's easy to predict and say they will let him go or say they're going to keep him. I think it all depends on the numbers. It's a numbers game... In my mind, I would say that they're going to let him go. That's what I would say."
This follows Brandon Aiyuk's interview on "The Pivot Podcast," where he said that if the 49ers did not extend him, he would join the Washington Commanders - and barring that, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But speaking to TMZ, he said his first choice was to stay:
"For sure."
Steelers should pull a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, says reporter
Speaking of the Steelers, at least one person has implored them to execute a trade for Brandon Aiyuk.
It is no secret that the six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise desperately needs credible wideouts after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, leaving George Pickens as their only prolific player at the position. FanSided's Jacob Harrison expounds further in an article for Still Curtain.
Harrison says that despite general manager Omar Khan's propensity to trade away decent wideouts like Chase Claypool, he also has to do the opposite to maintain good positional depth. And getting Aiyuk represents his best chance at doing so.
"Whether that means a second-round pick and more or even selling a first-round pick, the Steelers need to pull the trigger and make it happen. The Steelers seemingly never sell the farm for one player, but in this case, it's truly in the best interest of the future of the franchise.
"Russell Wilson needs reliable targets to lean on if he's going to turn this offense around. Right now, he's surrounded by a lot of potential. Bringing in Aiyuk gives him an option that is proven to be reliable, instantly boosting the productivity of the offense."
Unless this hypothetical trade happens, the next-best wideout after Pickens is Van Jefferson, who has 1,600 yards to his name. Rookie Roman Wilson had 1,707 at Michigan.