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Ahead of training camp, Aiyuk requested a trade after growing frustrated with the lack of progress in his contract extension negotiations. The receiver is set to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option, but he likely seeks something closer to the $30 million-per-year range.
Respected Cleveland.com insider Mary Kay Cabot believes the Cleveland Browns might be a perfect trade partner for Aiyuk. She noted that Cam Marino of NFLDraftBuzz.com recently named the Browns among a trio of teams that are frontrunners in the Aiyuk sweepstakes and are willing to meet the receiver's salary demands. The others are the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cabot believes the Browns are in a unique position. While the others are likely willing to part with draft compensation, something that won't benefit the 49ers until next season, the Browns can offer a player who can make an immediate impact—30-year-old wide receiver Amari Cooper. That might be key for a team with Super Bowl aspirations this season.
"If Cooper is part of the deal, he can step right in and fill Aiyuk's shoes, and be a 1,000-yard receiver for Brock Purdy in what the 49ers expect to be another Super Bowl run," Cabot wrote. "With his excellent hands and premier route-running, arguably the best in the league, he could quickly adapt to the 49er offense and to Purdy's delivery. Last season, he adjusted seamlessly to four different quarterbacks, finishing 10th in the NFL with 1,250 yards and tying for 36th with 72 receptions, five of which were TDs."
The 49ers' last offer to Aiyuk was reportedly a deal that would pay him about $26 million annually, an amount shy of what he seeks. Cabot notes that the Browns guaranteed Cooper's $20 million contract and gave him $5 million in incentives, a deal comparable to what the 49ers reportedly offered Aiyuk.
"If they don't give Aiyuk what he believes he's worth, he could stage a prolonged holdout and be a distraction in a season in which the 49ers are expected to return to the Super Bowl," Cabot added.
San Francisco is trying to navigate the Aiyuk contract situation, knowing that things will get more complicated next year when the team must make quarterback Brock Purdy one of the NFL's highest-paid players. The 49ers are also paying top-tier money to other stars, including running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle, and defensive end Nick Bosa. This level of spending may not be sustainable, and some difficult decisions will eventually need to be made.
Cabot concluded, "The Browns love Cooper, but if they're going to shell out huge money for a receiver — in the mid-20 millions to the 30s — they'd probably prefer a younger player just hitting his peak."
