Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk were on the table “at some point” to join Russell Wilson, NFL analyst claims
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have both experienced intense negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers. In addition, both have come close to getting the boot to the other side of the country. At least, that is what NFL analyst Mike Florio claimed on Tuesday's edition of "Pro Football Talk."
Speaking on the program, he claimed both had a chance of getting traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers at some point around the NFL combine earlier this offseason.
Mike Florio: "[00:00:34] At some point, it morphed into the possibility of just trading Deebo Samuel instead of trading Brandon Aiyuk. Neither was traded. The Steelers reportedly were interested in both. I know at one point the Steelers called the 49ers about Aiyuk around scouting combine time and were told he's not available. [00:00:58]," he said. [23.7] PFT
The conversations took place at two of the most common times of year for trades to materialize. The scouting combine and the Senior Bowl are two instances in which much of the league's brass congregate. At any other time of year, general managers have to make a conscious effort to call other teams with their questions laid out.
If the conversations went down in person at either event, the conversation can be much more free-spirited with a back-and-forth. As such, it appeared to be more likely that players could be floated at the drop of a hat in a face-to-face conversation.
Brandon Aiyuk causes stir in claims that 49ers don't want him
The wide receiver had been sitting idly by, waiting for something to materialize between himself and the 49ers. With no deal done, some believe the wide receiver could be on the way out. Aiyuk appeared to think as much in a clip posted on TikTok of a conversation with Jayden Daniels, per ESPN.
Aiyuk told Daniels "They said they don't want me back." In a caption on the post, he wrote "I'm laughing but I'm crying fr."
Mike Florio also touched on the video when speaking about the potential trade.
Mike Florio: "[00:05:57] Look, it wasn't an accident that Aiyuk put that clip on TikTok. He's trying to agitate. He's trying to make something happen. [00:06:09]," Florio said.[12.0]
Will Brandon Aiyuk find a resolution with the 49ers like Deebo Samuel or will he end up with a new team like AJ Brown?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.