It sounds like the San Francisco 49ers are offering Brandon Aiyuk a four-year deal. Mike Garafolo joined Jason Puckett's podcast this week and shared that the wide receiver's preference has always been to remain in the Bay Area and that an agreement is very close. This could explain why Aiyuk hasn't rushed to make a decision, even attending practices over the last three days to observe the sessions.
Garafolo notes that a decision could come at any time—Aiyuk could sign San Francisco's latest offer, or the 49ers could trade him. The only ones who don't have much say in the matter are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are hoping to trade for Aiyuk but are waiting for the situation to unfold.
Reports suggest that the 49ers and Aiyuk are nearing a deal, and Garafolo revealed just how close they are.
"The 49ers feel like they have already caved enough and caved more than they wanted to," Garafolo said. "They have come up significantly from their offer in the spring. My reporting is that they are pretty much agreed over the first three years of the deal, which is usually the hard part. That's the guarantee, the cash flow, the APY over the first couple of years, average per year, and that Aiyuk just wants a minor—not minor, I shouldn't say minor—Aiyuk just wants an adjustment in the final year of the deal, which is not guaranteed. That year is never guaranteed."
That minor adjustment is all that stands between the 49ers and Aiyuk finally ending this prolonged situation. While things have been contentious, Garafolo is optimistic that the deal is heading in the right direction.
"It's really close to being done," Garafolo added. "That's why the 49ers have said, 'We're not going to make a move and trade him away because we feel like we could still get this deal done.'"
Garafolo notes that the significant difference in state income tax between California and Pennsylvania, where the Steelers are based, could influence Aiyuk's decision.
RELATED John Lynch addresses Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams contract standoffs
On Friday morning, general manager John Lynch was asked about the contract standoff with Aiyuk.
"I can tell you this: it's been a long, arduous, hard process, our journey," Lynch responded. "We started this early and, for whatever reason, haven't been able to get it across the finish line. That's been frustrating. But the communication, still, has been really good, both with Brandon and his agent, and we're trying to figure out solutions.
"I'm always hopeful. I'm an optimistic person [in] nature, and so I'm always hopeful that we'll get there and get there soon. I can tell you we feel the urgency to have him. The season's approaching, and we have ample time."
