After much reluctance, the 49ers granted Aiyuk's request, allowing his agent to speak with other teams to negotiate a contract and potentially facilitate a trade. While there was speculation that deals with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns were close, nothing has materialized.
Reports suggest that the 49ers' brass has grown frustrated with how Aiyuk has handled the situation, yet they still hold out hope that a deal can be worked out with their disgruntled player—even as talks with other teams continue.
"I think there's a part of him that would still like to stay in San Francisco," NFL insider Adam Schefter said Wednesday on Ohio radio station 97.1 The Fan via Michael Gallagher of Yardbarker. "The problem is, there's been so much that has transpired that that's become more and more difficult. Like, this is a deal that could have and should have been done.
"At one point, it looked like the two sides were getting a deal done in the offseason, and it didn't get done, and here we are where all this other 'scar tissue,' if you will, has built up and complicated the situation and turned it into a real-life soap opera."
For those wondering what the Steelers might offer the 49ers in terms of immediate-impact players, in addition to draft compensation, Schefter noted that Pittsburgh is unwilling to include receiver George Pickens or tight end Pat Freiermuth in any potential deal for Aiyuk.
Aiyuk is likely seeking a contract that would pay nearly $30 million per year, possibly more, making him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. The 49ers have not budged from their last offer, reportedly in the range of $26 million annually.
Aiyuk will ultimately have to decide between taking a larger contract with another team or staying with the 49ers, where he would likely compete for a Super Bowl.