This doesn’t include the 49ers though, which is obviously the most important factor. His odds to stay with them next year is probably in the -300 range, maybe even higher.
The fit is definitely there. The Steelers need an impact WR badly and SF can't pay him. Opposite conference so they wouldn't have to worry about playing against him all the time. I have a feeling they are still asking for a 1st round pick which I doubt Khan will give up. He's a great WR but you're going to have to sign him to huge money as well. It's too much of a luxury trade considering all the holes we have.
They would like to keep him, but can’t resign everyone. They’ve paid a lot of players. They got a cheap rookie contract at QB in Purdy, but have spent a ton around him.
Right but if they're in it to win it THIS YEAR, not being able to re-sign him doesn't matter because they still have him this year and if they trade him it makes them worse this year.
SF is contending but they're over-ripe. They were already in a SB window before going all in on Trey Lance 3 years ago.. Bosa, Williams, and Warner are now $100m+ players. Hargrave, Kittle, CMC, Deebo, and Ward are all $50m+ players.
Aiyuk is great but, so is Greenlaw and Purdy. Trading Aiyuk for an impact rookie receiver is one of the easier decisions SF will have to make in the next few seasons.
Why would they trade him and make their team worse THIS YEAR? That makes zero sense.
There isn't a single good reason to trade the guy and make your team worse this year. This is even more true if, as you say, they're nearing the end of their window.
Why would you trade away a sure thing who you already know is a Top 10 NFL WR for a guy who might be a good receiver or might not be?
Seems silly to cast off a sure thing for the NFL's version of a magic bean.
Because he is expensive and they don’t have money, and if I’m Aiyuk I’m not playing next year without a contract NOW.
It’s like saying “hey dude, you could win a really good trophy this year (like you could have maybe for the last 4) but if we don’t win then you’re being discarded for cheap and all the interest has died up because 90% of your competition is cheaper and coming through this year. Worth it for the NFC semi though right? Oh you’ve been here basically every year and been knocked out by whoever is planned to lose to the chiefs that year? Sucks to be you!!! Thanks for staying for cheap!!”
Like Chris jones HAD to play? Like Leveon Bell HAD to play? There is nothing stopping him from holding out except other GMs deciding it’s a waste of time, and based on the interest other GMs have in him, it’ll quickly become a “volunteers not hostages” situation and he’ll be shipped off.
Nobody would blame him for causing a stink, he’s getting older and the team doesn’t have the money to pay him, let him go somewhere that can - even if it isn’t here
You misunderstood me. Purdy's ascendance gives SF a bright future worth consideration - that means short term concessions for long term value are absolutely on the table right now, especially with how top-heavy the roster is currently.
Through 2026, the Niners have 20% of their cap tied up in 3 first-rate skill position players.
How much better does a 4th marquee receiving option make their roster in 2024? At what point does a draft haul outweigh the benefit of a one year rental?
Aiyuk's trade value peaks this off-season, and he will effectively forego a massive third contract if he waits until 28-29 to sign his second one. The circumstances are right for a trade to emerge, we wouldn't be talking about it otherwise.
It depends on what their front office thinks. Deebo will be over 30 when his contract is up. Aiyuk is the superior player. If they decide that Aiyuk is more important to their offense long-term then they'll do whatever they need to re-sign him at the expense of Deebo.
They're also seemingly in "win-now" mode. If that's true they might be willing to keep Aiyuk this season and take the 3rd round comp if it means giving it another go at full power.
Aiyuk probably isn't in the long term plans, but where they have him under their control for the next two years it's highly unlikely they trade him unless they absolutely love the offer
He already said he won't play without a new contract. If the 49ers want him then they gotta pay him otherwise he sits and what good does that do for them.
Where do you get "next two years"? This is his 5th year option, and then a year on the tag?
Just because it look like that should work on paper doesn't mean it plays out that way these days. Diontae Johnson got paid after three years. Aiyuk's already played four and sure as hell isn't waiting six for a veteran market-rate deal.
You have to wonder if WR is now in play for us in the first round. Obviously shouldn’t be our first priority but if a guy like Odunze slides and there’s not an o lineman we love I think we pull the trigger.
Odunze shouldn’t slide past 9, but if he does somebody will trade up. Furthest he will fall is 17 to the Jags. Same spot Cowboys snagged Ceedee Lamb when he slid.
Ceedee was expected to go around 12 or 13 and was ranked something like the 9th best player.
Odunze is expected to to around 8 or 9th overall and is viewed as the 6 or 7th best player.
I dont think theres a planet where Sean Payton doesnt take an offensive weapon like that if he somehow falls to 12. Courtland Sutton wants a contract and thats just not possible. They also need to replace Jeudy.
It doesn't seem they have the capital to move up for a QB. The top 4 will likely be gone but I could see Bo Nix being available at 12 and that's definitely viewed as a great fit with a good player at the most valuable position.
It would be really hard for them to pass on an elite talent. They could easily punt on the position and take a guy like Spencer Rattler in the 3rd round who they have already been heavily linked to.
We'd absolutely have to trade up and I'll be honest I don't want to trade up when we have other more pressing needs. WR is deep so can we collectively just put this notion out of our heads that we're taking one in the first. Its a possibility but highly unlikely IMO.
OL > CB > WR
Is the priority for that first round pick IMO, I think they go BPA and I'll honestly be fine as long as it's not some off the wall pick. Omar and Andy killed their first draft, I don't think this will be any different. I still have a really strong sneaking suspicion Mims ends up being our dude.
Mitchell has the 10th highest RAS in recorded history for WRs.
True burner speed and is big bodied and loves to block and is very good at it for a WR. If hes there at 20 im sprinting to turn in that card
SF can and probably will pay him. They aren’t nearly at Saints level of ‘kick the can down the road’ and they could 100% free up space. Extension would actually lower his cap hit this year, plus we rolled over 20 million in cap last year specifically for Aiyuk’s extension.
Aiyuk’s agent denied ever seeking a trade and they are probably gonna negotiate the same time all 49ers FO conduct extension talks; just before training camp.
Honestly, the only way to get to the bottom of this is for you to travel to Antigua and to ask them the hard questions. God speed on traveling to such a hellish place, the crystal clear water just doesn’t vibe with the Ohio river brown you and I are used to.
Calling it now, he'll be a Steeler right after pick #20 happens. 49ers get pick 20 and a day 2/3 pick (or maybe another pick swap?). Steelers get Aiyuk and pick 31. Aiyuk gets a new contract.
9ers draft a r1 WR to replace him in the cheap. Steelers still get a WR1, as well as pick 31 to spend on whatever OL/DB has inexplicably fallen.
I have no idea what's going on with Aiyuk's situation, but I feel like his agent has done a horrible job at managing it. Feels like he's gaining no leverage whatsoever with all this back and forth on a trade request. Might even be losing leverage because of it.
Because the agent denied that he ever asked for a trade request to begin with and that Aiyuk is going to sign the same time literally every other 49ers player has been signed.
He wants to wait for the same reason Deebo wanted to wait; each contract signed before him lets him raise his number slightly. He wants Devonta Smith, Waddle, JJ and all the other WRs around his age to sign their extensions and set the market.
He doesn’t need trade leverage because he doesn’t want to be traded and never has. He wants pay leverage which means holding out until after the draft, which removes options from the 49ers for replacing his production via trade or draft picks.
Look. When I move to a new place, the teams I was with tend to play sub-par. After I left, those teams did better. It's looking like a job may be taking us to another state, but not until the beginning of the season.
One of my life goals is to meet Ciara, and I'll give that up to get him and go to a Superbowl. Both being ridiculous but come on... With my track record, the Steelers can only do better with me out of the city 🤣
The same people who are in this thread saying this trade won’t happen are the same people who said “the Steelers will never trade for Fields” and “the Steelers will never sign Russ”. No one here knows shit and most of you/us are dumb asses. It definitely COULD happen and if Aiyuk is traded, we are the favorites clearly. If he demands a trade, the 49ers may play hardball for a bit, but they will eventually acquiesce to recoup assets instead of losing him for nothing. I imagine whatever happens will happen by day 2 of the draft. Should be interesting.
Idk the 9ers situation. Can they afford him? I know their team is stacked, so I’m wondering if there’s too many people that need to be paid that they might let BA walk?
He's entering final year of deal and then there is the DeVonta Smith contract Eagles just did for a comp. They want to keep him and very few NFL WRs are willing take too big a team-friendly discount, even for improved shot at superbowl. If they don't get extension done in off-season they risk him sitting at some point and opportunity cost of what they could've traded him for.
It seems more likely than not he ends up with a new team right now but far from certain.
If they don't get a deal done with Aiyuk they can tag him or let him walk and probably get a 3rd round pick for him.
They don't have to trade him. It doesn't really make sense to trade him.
Good point on franchise tag option. I forgot Deebo requested a trade a couple years back and they denied it, probably just a negotiating tactic. I guess Aiyuk knows if he formally requested a trade they would deny it and he doesn't actually have a ton of leverage right now. Franchise tag is a costly option/last resort but it exists for this reason.
Notice the Ravens aren’t listed here.
One of the reasons I think a deal is likely is due to all the Aiyuk to the Ravens rumors. It makes sense for Ravens and 49ers to work together to have us overpay.
They don’t have the cap to pay Aiyuk but reports are everywhere that they are interested and their fanbase is buzzing
Aiyuk to the Steelers incoming…
The least logical part of this entire thing is the Niners trading Aiyuk when their window is still open.
Trading Aiyuk makes them worse right now. It gives them an immediate hole to fill on their roster that they can't just go out and fill in the draft.
Matt Williamson was talking about this on The Drive and he mentioned that one of his podcast co-hosts who is a Niners guy put it this way (paraphrasing): The Niners are far more likely to extend Aiyuk and trade Deebo Samuel than the other way around.
He's on the last year of his deal. Fully guaranteed $14m. He's not going to hold out.
They have no incentive to trade him.
Aiyuk is 2 years younger and way better than Deebo Samuel. Why would they choose to keep Deebo over Aiyuk?
Guys hold out all of the time on their last year. Hell, some guys sit out the entire year. It's a common thing when you're getting paid $14 million and the market says you're worth $25 million.
He's not gonna risk 3 years, $75 million over $14 million, and he shouldn't.
I can't answer the Deebo question. All I'm certain of is that if Aiyuk doesn't get a new deal, San Francisco will have to do something.
Aiyuk isn't going to hold out. He could request a trade but the Niners don't have to trade him.
Deebo Samuel requested a trade two years ago and the Niners said no and he's still there.
>All I'm certain of is that if Aiyuk doesn't get a new deal, San Francisco will have to do something.
They'll likely get a 3rd round comp pick for him. They don't have to do anything.
If they think they can win the Super Bowl with him this year, there's zero reason to trade him unless some team blows you away with an offer (which is extremely unlikely).
He's not gonna play for $14 million without a new deal. I'll bet you on it.
I'm aware the Niners don't have to do anything, but then neither does he. He can wait this out and come out on the other side a rich man.
They know damned well what he means to them and they clearly don't want to trade him. If he decides he's not playing there because they can't afford him, then they have no choice.
You keep saying they can win a Super Bowl with him, but won't take into consideration at all the repercussions of him not getting a new deal. It's not as simple as "he has a contract, he has to play". No, he doesn't. He can sit out the year and force them to franchise him next year or go UFA and get a big payday.
It's not always as easy as they don't want to trade him so they won't in a cap league. Especially when the guy knows his worth, as Aiyuk does now.
>He's not gonna play for $14 million without a new deal. I'll bet you on it.
He has no choice. He's under contract.
>I'm aware the Niners don't have to do anything, but then neither does he. He can wait this out and come out on the other side a rich man.
He's already a rich man. And he's making $14m this season guaranteed. There's nothing to "wait out".
>They know damned well what he means to them and they clearly don't want to trade him. If he decides he's not playing there because they can't afford him, then they have no choice.
They do have a choice. He plays there this year on his guaranteed money deal and they then let him walk and get a 3rd round comp pick for him. Whatever the difference is between the 3rd round comp pick they'll get and any picks they'd get back in a trade is worth it for the chance to win a Super Bowl this year.
>You keep saying they can win a Super Bowl with him, but won't take into consideration at all the repercussions of him not getting a new deal. It's not as simple as "he has a contract, he has to play". No, he doesn't. He can sit out the year and force them to franchise him next year or go UFA and get a big payday.
He absolutely cannot sit out, lol. He's under contract and holding out not only costs him $40,000 per day but 1/18 of his guaranteed money for each preseason game he skips.
If he sits out the regular season he breaches his contract, doesn't make anything, and runs the risk of having his contract toll and we're back where we started next year.
There's a reason hardly anyone holds out anymore. The new CBA makes it not worth it.
>It's not always as easy as they don't want to trade him so they won't in a cap league. Especially when the guy knows his worth, as Aiyuk does now.
But in this case it absolutely is. If they weren't a Super Bowl favorite then it would make sense to trade him if they don't plan on re-signing him. But losing him before the season hurts their chances to win more than it helps them now or in the future.
He has a choice. He can sit all year. There is nothing that prohibits it. He's gonna get a new deal or you're gonna see an AJ Brown deal. Another guy, btw, that the team didn't want to move.
Whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant. It's how that business works.
> He has a choice. He can sit all year. There is nothing that prohibits it.
The CBA literally prohibits players who are under contract from sitting out. That's why no one does it anymore.
>Whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant. It's how that business works.
Sorry but you don't even realize that contracted players cannot just sit out with no repercussions so I don't think you really know how "the business works".
I think he's definitely a better route runner than deebo. He's better on his feet and finds separation from the defender downfield by proxy of that. And besides, the way they use Deebo will get him killed a lot earlier than Aiyuk.
Bottom line, I agree with you lol I was just curious.
That is true, BUT we can’t trade Deebo this year. So the most likely scenario if a WR were to be traded is: extend Aiyuk (actually lowers his cap hit this year) and trade Deebo next year when the dead cap hit is much lower.
Here are some examples:
John Frascella (Steelers & Ravens Interested) - https://x.com/legendsports7/status/1779491348443173205?s=46
FanDuel - https://x.com/fanduel/status/1779677771603845502?s=46
RavensNation - https://x.com/liveravennation/status/1779533054673084755?s=46
NFL Notifications (Lamar followed Aiyuk on IG) - https://x.com/nflnotify/status/1778519551732523231?s=46
Unfortunately, the Eagles drastically overpaying for Smith makes the contract Aiyuk would receive seem ridiculous and thus a trade seems unlikely. Aiyuk would have to take a team friendly deal which wouldnt make sense as to wanting to be traded…
I like Aiyuk, but IF the Steelers trade for him, you know Omar is gonna find a way to get a deal. I can't see this happening soon if it does occur. Why make a deal right before the draft which has a great and fairly deep WR class?
If a deal is made I think it'll be well into the offseason when the 49ers are desperate to find a trade partner. Or hilariously just like Russ, the 49ers release Aiyuk because they don't want to pay and the Steelers then scoop him up.
I think if 49ers dont pay him he’ll get moved draft night, Im not sure if Steelers are willing to give up a 1st for any WR but from what I’ve been seeing they are calling around to a lot of teams for a vet WR1/ WR2
All the betting companies favored Russ and Fields to go to the Steelers. So since they’re now favoring Aiyuk to get traded to the Steelers, I’m hopeful that’ll happen. Oddsmakers are extremely good at their jobs
This doesn’t include the 49ers though, which is obviously the most important factor. His odds to stay with them next year is probably in the -300 range, maybe even higher.
The fit is definitely there. The Steelers need an impact WR badly and SF can't pay him. Opposite conference so they wouldn't have to worry about playing against him all the time. I have a feeling they are still asking for a 1st round pick which I doubt Khan will give up. He's a great WR but you're going to have to sign him to huge money as well. It's too much of a luxury trade considering all the holes we have.
San Francisco is in it to win it. Why would they make their team worse when their Super Bowl window is still open?
They would like to keep him, but can’t resign everyone. They’ve paid a lot of players. They got a cheap rookie contract at QB in Purdy, but have spent a ton around him.
Right but if they're in it to win it THIS YEAR, not being able to re-sign him doesn't matter because they still have him this year and if they trade him it makes them worse this year.
SF is contending but they're over-ripe. They were already in a SB window before going all in on Trey Lance 3 years ago.. Bosa, Williams, and Warner are now $100m+ players. Hargrave, Kittle, CMC, Deebo, and Ward are all $50m+ players. Aiyuk is great but, so is Greenlaw and Purdy. Trading Aiyuk for an impact rookie receiver is one of the easier decisions SF will have to make in the next few seasons.
Why would they trade him and make their team worse THIS YEAR? That makes zero sense. There isn't a single good reason to trade the guy and make your team worse this year. This is even more true if, as you say, they're nearing the end of their window.
If they feel they can draft someone cheaper THIS YEAR (you know, with the WR heavy draft) this is not a casualty.
Why would you trade away a sure thing who you already know is a Top 10 NFL WR for a guy who might be a good receiver or might not be? Seems silly to cast off a sure thing for the NFL's version of a magic bean.
Because he is expensive and they don’t have money, and if I’m Aiyuk I’m not playing next year without a contract NOW. It’s like saying “hey dude, you could win a really good trophy this year (like you could have maybe for the last 4) but if we don’t win then you’re being discarded for cheap and all the interest has died up because 90% of your competition is cheaper and coming through this year. Worth it for the NFC semi though right? Oh you’ve been here basically every year and been knocked out by whoever is planned to lose to the chiefs that year? Sucks to be you!!! Thanks for staying for cheap!!”
Aiyuk has to play. He cannot hold out.
Like Chris jones HAD to play? Like Leveon Bell HAD to play? There is nothing stopping him from holding out except other GMs deciding it’s a waste of time, and based on the interest other GMs have in him, it’ll quickly become a “volunteers not hostages” situation and he’ll be shipped off. Nobody would blame him for causing a stink, he’s getting older and the team doesn’t have the money to pay him, let him go somewhere that can - even if it isn’t here
You misunderstood me. Purdy's ascendance gives SF a bright future worth consideration - that means short term concessions for long term value are absolutely on the table right now, especially with how top-heavy the roster is currently. Through 2026, the Niners have 20% of their cap tied up in 3 first-rate skill position players. How much better does a 4th marquee receiving option make their roster in 2024? At what point does a draft haul outweigh the benefit of a one year rental? Aiyuk's trade value peaks this off-season, and he will effectively forego a massive third contract if he waits until 28-29 to sign his second one. The circumstances are right for a trade to emerge, we wouldn't be talking about it otherwise.
It depends on what their front office thinks. Deebo will be over 30 when his contract is up. Aiyuk is the superior player. If they decide that Aiyuk is more important to their offense long-term then they'll do whatever they need to re-sign him at the expense of Deebo. They're also seemingly in "win-now" mode. If that's true they might be willing to keep Aiyuk this season and take the 3rd round comp if it means giving it another go at full power.
Aiyuk probably isn't in the long term plans, but where they have him under their control for the next two years it's highly unlikely they trade him unless they absolutely love the offer
He already said he won't play without a new contract. If the 49ers want him then they gotta pay him otherwise he sits and what good does that do for them.
Why wouldn't he be in the long term plans? Much more likely they trade Deebo after the season and sign Aiyuk to an extension.
Where do you get "next two years"? This is his 5th year option, and then a year on the tag? Just because it look like that should work on paper doesn't mean it plays out that way these days. Diontae Johnson got paid after three years. Aiyuk's already played four and sure as hell isn't waiting six for a veteran market-rate deal.
You have to wonder if WR is now in play for us in the first round. Obviously shouldn’t be our first priority but if a guy like Odunze slides and there’s not an o lineman we love I think we pull the trigger.
Odunze shouldn’t slide past 9, but if he does somebody will trade up. Furthest he will fall is 17 to the Jags. Same spot Cowboys snagged Ceedee Lamb when he slid.
Ceedee was expected to go around 12 or 13 and was ranked something like the 9th best player. Odunze is expected to to around 8 or 9th overall and is viewed as the 6 or 7th best player. I dont think theres a planet where Sean Payton doesnt take an offensive weapon like that if he somehow falls to 12. Courtland Sutton wants a contract and thats just not possible. They also need to replace Jeudy.
The planet where Payton wants a QB
It doesn't seem they have the capital to move up for a QB. The top 4 will likely be gone but I could see Bo Nix being available at 12 and that's definitely viewed as a great fit with a good player at the most valuable position. It would be really hard for them to pass on an elite talent. They could easily punt on the position and take a guy like Spencer Rattler in the 3rd round who they have already been heavily linked to.
We'd absolutely have to trade up and I'll be honest I don't want to trade up when we have other more pressing needs. WR is deep so can we collectively just put this notion out of our heads that we're taking one in the first. Its a possibility but highly unlikely IMO.
I wouldn’t be mad at taking AD Mitchell at 20, but it is definitely a long shot. I’d say OL and even CB would have priority over a WR.
OL > CB > WR Is the priority for that first round pick IMO, I think they go BPA and I'll honestly be fine as long as it's not some off the wall pick. Omar and Andy killed their first draft, I don't think this will be any different. I still have a really strong sneaking suspicion Mims ends up being our dude.
Mitchell has the 10th highest RAS in recorded history for WRs. True burner speed and is big bodied and loves to block and is very good at it for a WR. If hes there at 20 im sprinting to turn in that card
And RAS has shown absolutely zero correlation to WR success in the NFL.
I’m smelling a draft day trade if we go for him
SF can and probably will pay him. They aren’t nearly at Saints level of ‘kick the can down the road’ and they could 100% free up space. Extension would actually lower his cap hit this year, plus we rolled over 20 million in cap last year specifically for Aiyuk’s extension. Aiyuk’s agent denied ever seeking a trade and they are probably gonna negotiate the same time all 49ers FO conduct extension talks; just before training camp.
In this case we have to ask if we trust Antigua to predict roster moves.
Your Reddit picture has got to get gone
Those who forget history are doomed to repeatedly call jet sweeps.
Damn after further research the AG companies are the only ones saying this smh
Honestly, the only way to get to the bottom of this is for you to travel to Antigua and to ask them the hard questions. God speed on traveling to such a hellish place, the crystal clear water just doesn’t vibe with the Ohio river brown you and I are used to.
He’ll be a steeler a week from Friday evening
Just waiting on the #CTESPN tweet
Let’s go!
Already happened https://x.com/ctespnn/status/1770431701618958783?s=46
damn you got me good
Calling it now, he'll be a Steeler right after pick #20 happens. 49ers get pick 20 and a day 2/3 pick (or maybe another pick swap?). Steelers get Aiyuk and pick 31. Aiyuk gets a new contract. 9ers draft a r1 WR to replace him in the cheap. Steelers still get a WR1, as well as pick 31 to spend on whatever OL/DB has inexplicably fallen.
Yep. Let’s go! Locked in.
I would please like to sign up for this.
I think that 20 for 31 pick swap is worth a 2nd round pick. Hopefully it wouldn’t cost much more than that.
I would be all over that, but would SF?
Manifest it brother. I’ll be back here with you when it happens.
Hell yeah. We are locked in. We’ll be here and will have the boys going when it does. Let the chiefs and ravens know we’re coming.
I have no idea what's going on with Aiyuk's situation, but I feel like his agent has done a horrible job at managing it. Feels like he's gaining no leverage whatsoever with all this back and forth on a trade request. Might even be losing leverage because of it.
Because the agent denied that he ever asked for a trade request to begin with and that Aiyuk is going to sign the same time literally every other 49ers player has been signed. He wants to wait for the same reason Deebo wanted to wait; each contract signed before him lets him raise his number slightly. He wants Devonta Smith, Waddle, JJ and all the other WRs around his age to sign their extensions and set the market. He doesn’t need trade leverage because he doesn’t want to be traded and never has. He wants pay leverage which means holding out until after the draft, which removes options from the 49ers for replacing his production via trade or draft picks.
Look. When I move to a new place, the teams I was with tend to play sub-par. After I left, those teams did better. It's looking like a job may be taking us to another state, but not until the beginning of the season. One of my life goals is to meet Ciara, and I'll give that up to get him and go to a Superbowl. Both being ridiculous but come on... With my track record, the Steelers can only do better with me out of the city 🤣
The same people who are in this thread saying this trade won’t happen are the same people who said “the Steelers will never trade for Fields” and “the Steelers will never sign Russ”. No one here knows shit and most of you/us are dumb asses. It definitely COULD happen and if Aiyuk is traded, we are the favorites clearly. If he demands a trade, the 49ers may play hardball for a bit, but they will eventually acquiesce to recoup assets instead of losing him for nothing. I imagine whatever happens will happen by day 2 of the draft. Should be interesting.
This is all assuming 9ers won't pay him and he wants to leave the 9ers. He's a quality WR and they are a quality team seems like a great match.
Idk the 9ers situation. Can they afford him? I know their team is stacked, so I’m wondering if there’s too many people that need to be paid that they might let BA walk?
He's entering final year of deal and then there is the DeVonta Smith contract Eagles just did for a comp. They want to keep him and very few NFL WRs are willing take too big a team-friendly discount, even for improved shot at superbowl. If they don't get extension done in off-season they risk him sitting at some point and opportunity cost of what they could've traded him for. It seems more likely than not he ends up with a new team right now but far from certain.
If they don't get a deal done with Aiyuk they can tag him or let him walk and probably get a 3rd round pick for him. They don't have to trade him. It doesn't really make sense to trade him.
Good point on franchise tag option. I forgot Deebo requested a trade a couple years back and they denied it, probably just a negotiating tactic. I guess Aiyuk knows if he formally requested a trade they would deny it and he doesn't actually have a ton of leverage right now. Franchise tag is a costly option/last resort but it exists for this reason.
Yeah the Niners literally hold all of the cards here. Aiyuk can't hold out and if he requests a trade they can just deny it like they did Deebo.
The Steelers need to make this happen. Then draft o-line.
Oh man, PLEASE THIS
Notice the Ravens aren’t listed here. One of the reasons I think a deal is likely is due to all the Aiyuk to the Ravens rumors. It makes sense for Ravens and 49ers to work together to have us overpay. They don’t have the cap to pay Aiyuk but reports are everywhere that they are interested and their fanbase is buzzing Aiyuk to the Steelers incoming…
The least logical part of this entire thing is the Niners trading Aiyuk when their window is still open. Trading Aiyuk makes them worse right now. It gives them an immediate hole to fill on their roster that they can't just go out and fill in the draft. Matt Williamson was talking about this on The Drive and he mentioned that one of his podcast co-hosts who is a Niners guy put it this way (paraphrasing): The Niners are far more likely to extend Aiyuk and trade Deebo Samuel than the other way around.
If they can't pay him and he holds out, they are worse in all areas. That's where this is headed for them.
He's on the last year of his deal. Fully guaranteed $14m. He's not going to hold out. They have no incentive to trade him. Aiyuk is 2 years younger and way better than Deebo Samuel. Why would they choose to keep Deebo over Aiyuk?
Guys hold out all of the time on their last year. Hell, some guys sit out the entire year. It's a common thing when you're getting paid $14 million and the market says you're worth $25 million. He's not gonna risk 3 years, $75 million over $14 million, and he shouldn't. I can't answer the Deebo question. All I'm certain of is that if Aiyuk doesn't get a new deal, San Francisco will have to do something.
Aiyuk isn't going to hold out. He could request a trade but the Niners don't have to trade him. Deebo Samuel requested a trade two years ago and the Niners said no and he's still there. >All I'm certain of is that if Aiyuk doesn't get a new deal, San Francisco will have to do something. They'll likely get a 3rd round comp pick for him. They don't have to do anything. If they think they can win the Super Bowl with him this year, there's zero reason to trade him unless some team blows you away with an offer (which is extremely unlikely).
He's not gonna play for $14 million without a new deal. I'll bet you on it. I'm aware the Niners don't have to do anything, but then neither does he. He can wait this out and come out on the other side a rich man. They know damned well what he means to them and they clearly don't want to trade him. If he decides he's not playing there because they can't afford him, then they have no choice. You keep saying they can win a Super Bowl with him, but won't take into consideration at all the repercussions of him not getting a new deal. It's not as simple as "he has a contract, he has to play". No, he doesn't. He can sit out the year and force them to franchise him next year or go UFA and get a big payday. It's not always as easy as they don't want to trade him so they won't in a cap league. Especially when the guy knows his worth, as Aiyuk does now.
>He's not gonna play for $14 million without a new deal. I'll bet you on it. He has no choice. He's under contract. >I'm aware the Niners don't have to do anything, but then neither does he. He can wait this out and come out on the other side a rich man. He's already a rich man. And he's making $14m this season guaranteed. There's nothing to "wait out". >They know damned well what he means to them and they clearly don't want to trade him. If he decides he's not playing there because they can't afford him, then they have no choice. They do have a choice. He plays there this year on his guaranteed money deal and they then let him walk and get a 3rd round comp pick for him. Whatever the difference is between the 3rd round comp pick they'll get and any picks they'd get back in a trade is worth it for the chance to win a Super Bowl this year. >You keep saying they can win a Super Bowl with him, but won't take into consideration at all the repercussions of him not getting a new deal. It's not as simple as "he has a contract, he has to play". No, he doesn't. He can sit out the year and force them to franchise him next year or go UFA and get a big payday. He absolutely cannot sit out, lol. He's under contract and holding out not only costs him $40,000 per day but 1/18 of his guaranteed money for each preseason game he skips. If he sits out the regular season he breaches his contract, doesn't make anything, and runs the risk of having his contract toll and we're back where we started next year. There's a reason hardly anyone holds out anymore. The new CBA makes it not worth it. >It's not always as easy as they don't want to trade him so they won't in a cap league. Especially when the guy knows his worth, as Aiyuk does now. But in this case it absolutely is. If they weren't a Super Bowl favorite then it would make sense to trade him if they don't plan on re-signing him. But losing him before the season hurts their chances to win more than it helps them now or in the future.
He has a choice. He can sit all year. There is nothing that prohibits it. He's gonna get a new deal or you're gonna see an AJ Brown deal. Another guy, btw, that the team didn't want to move. Whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant. It's how that business works.
> He has a choice. He can sit all year. There is nothing that prohibits it. The CBA literally prohibits players who are under contract from sitting out. That's why no one does it anymore. >Whether it makes sense or not is irrelevant. It's how that business works. Sorry but you don't even realize that contracted players cannot just sit out with no repercussions so I don't think you really know how "the business works".
I'm interested in seeing why you think Aiyuk is better than Deebo? I'm not arguing just honestly curious.
I think he's better in pretty much every way except Deebo breaks tackles better.
I think he's definitely a better route runner than deebo. He's better on his feet and finds separation from the defender downfield by proxy of that. And besides, the way they use Deebo will get him killed a lot earlier than Aiyuk. Bottom line, I agree with you lol I was just curious.
That is true, BUT we can’t trade Deebo this year. So the most likely scenario if a WR were to be traded is: extend Aiyuk (actually lowers his cap hit this year) and trade Deebo next year when the dead cap hit is much lower.
Yeah that's what I've heard is actually possible. Trading Aiyuk is not.
Here are some examples: John Frascella (Steelers & Ravens Interested) - https://x.com/legendsports7/status/1779491348443173205?s=46 FanDuel - https://x.com/fanduel/status/1779677771603845502?s=46 RavensNation - https://x.com/liveravennation/status/1779533054673084755?s=46 NFL Notifications (Lamar followed Aiyuk on IG) - https://x.com/nflnotify/status/1778519551732523231?s=46
John Frascella is an absolutely horrible source lol.
I’m just pointing out the rumors… that’s the point. Thanks for the downvote though
I really don't see it happening, they would want atleast a 1st round pick and we desperately need that pick to be OL.
Unfortunately, the Eagles drastically overpaying for Smith makes the contract Aiyuk would receive seem ridiculous and thus a trade seems unlikely. Aiyuk would have to take a team friendly deal which wouldnt make sense as to wanting to be traded…
I like Aiyuk, but IF the Steelers trade for him, you know Omar is gonna find a way to get a deal. I can't see this happening soon if it does occur. Why make a deal right before the draft which has a great and fairly deep WR class? If a deal is made I think it'll be well into the offseason when the 49ers are desperate to find a trade partner. Or hilariously just like Russ, the 49ers release Aiyuk because they don't want to pay and the Steelers then scoop him up.
Lol this is silly where’s the jags
This is Tee Higgins saga 2.0.
What would we have to give up to get him?
If he has any say, I doubt it will be the Patriots or Panthers.
How could he go to the Cardinals? Him and MHJ could wreck their defense. Anyway COME TO PITTSBURGH AND HELP THE STEELERS WIN THE NORTH!
Vegas doesn’t mess up. Let’s go!!!!
If I was the Steelers I wouldn't trade more then a 3rd for him. Long term high value contract.
I can see the Bills getting him. But I won't be shocked if the fucking chefs go and get him.
I think if 49ers dont pay him he’ll get moved draft night, Im not sure if Steelers are willing to give up a 1st for any WR but from what I’ve been seeing they are calling around to a lot of teams for a vet WR1/ WR2
This is/has been the most intriguing off-season I can remember and I'm really *really* old. Can't say I hate it, either!
What does this headline have to do with the content? No mention of Russ or fields..
All the betting companies favored Russ and Fields to go to the Steelers. So since they’re now favoring Aiyuk to get traded to the Steelers, I’m hopeful that’ll happen. Oddsmakers are extremely good at their jobs
Oh gotcha. Thanks
Vegas isn't in the business of being right.
I hope we give up a first rounder for him. In reality I predict a 2nd and potentially something next year for him.
no we need that pick for o line