Brandon Aiyuk's social media post directed at Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin sparked considerable speculation regarding the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver's potential interest in joining the Steelers.
@CoachTomlin they saying we twins. What you think ? 👀
— BA (@THE2ERA) March 19, 2024
However, during a conversation with former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco on "The Nightcap" podcast, Aiyuk clarified that it was simply a lighthearted response amidst ongoing trade rumors.
"Every day while you under negotiations, negotiating, or whatever you want to call it—contract talks—every day is like a different day," Aiyuk said.
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The report about the Steelers' interest came after one about the Jacksonville Jaguars inquiring about the receiver. Initially planning to ignore the trade rumors and focus on enjoying his birthday on March 17, Aiyuk woke up two days later to the Steelers rumors.
"If everybody is saying this and this and that, let me go ahead and just put out one of my little spots, and I'll [repond] back to Tomlin, and we can have a little bit of fun with it. It's all in fun. It's all fun. Like I said, we're professionals. But it is what it is, man. That's where the Tomlin thing came from."
General manager John Lynch, speaking at the NFL owners meetings, stated that the 49ers are actively negotiating with Aiyuk's representatives on a contract extension and are not involved in trade discussions with other teams.
"I promise you, nothing's going on there," Lynch affirmed.
Discussing his future with the 49ers, a confident Aiyuk remarked, "It's business and it's multiple people involved in business, and we all try to get to one thing. But like I said, they gonna do it with me or without me. You gonna have a better chance with me, and we just leave it at that."