Aiyuk seeks to become one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers. He is currently slated to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on a team-exercised fifth-year option but reportedly aims for a contract closer to $30 million annually. The 49ers have not budged from their reported $26 million offer made earlier in the offseason.
NFL insider Josina Anderson shared one detail of the contract that the Patriots offered Aiyuk's camp: They were willing to pay the wideout more than $28.5 million annually.
"Additional a league source said this morning there's belief within the Patriots that Aiyuk's 'preference' is to land with Pittsburgh—again their belief," Anderson wrote.
Aiyuk simply doesn't want to play for a rebuilding New England, a team with a first-time head coach and a rookie quarterback. After seemingly exiting the negotiation process earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have re-emerged as a contender to acquire Aiyuk.
It's noteworthy that the Patriots' offer doesn't seem that far off from the 49ers' last one, assuming that report was accurate.
"Doesn't seem like 49ers and Aiyuk are that far apart," Matt Barrows of The Athletic noted.
On Tuesday, when asked if there remains a scenario where a long-term deal with Aiyuk could still be worked out, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan responded, "There's a scenario for everything, so I wouldn't rule anything out."
While Aiyuk doesn't have a no-trade clause, he can effectively derail any trade by not agreeing to sign a new deal with an interested team, essentially dictating where he might go. This seems to be what happened with the Patriots.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers insider predicts outcome of Dre Greenlaw situation
A recent social media post by Mikaela Gallagher, Dre Greenlaw's fiancé, hinted that the couple's time in the Bay Area might be coming to an end. However, this week, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch emphasized the team's interest in retaining the... -
MRI reveals 49ers RB Isaac Guerendo suffered MCL, ankle sprains
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo shared positive news on Monday morning, revealing via social media that he avoided a dreaded ACL injury, which would have jeopardized his 2025 season. Guerendo reassured fans, stating he will "be back better than... -
49ers Notebook: Nick Bosa, Fred Warner reflect on 'embarrassing' defensive season; Joshua Dobbs reveals what he's looking for in a future team; A healthy George is a happy George
And with that, the 2024 season comes to an end... mercifully. For anyone who has been watching the San Francisco 49ers over the past two months, Sunday's 47-24 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals was more of the same -- turnovers, a missed field goal, poor defense, penalties,... -
Report: 49ers expected to offer Robert Saleh defensive coordinator role
Nick Sorensen will not return as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2025, although head coach Kyle Shanahan hopes to retain him in another role on his staff. Meanwhile, the team is closely monitoring former 49ers defensive coordinator and former New York Jets...