ESPN insider Adam Schefter recently highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the situation in an interview with Steeler Nation's Tyler Candelaria (h/t Chris Wilson for the find).
"Here's what I can tell about what the situation is: the 49ers don't know what's going to happen with Brandon Aiyuk," Schefter reportedly said. "The Pittsburgh Steelers don't know what's going to happen with Brandon Aiyuk. The Cleveland Browns don't know what's going to happen with Brandon Aiyuk. The New England Patriots bowed out; they know he's not going there."
The Patriots withdrew from the Aiyuk sweepstakes, knowing he had no desire to play in New England. A similar scenario unfolded in Cleveland. However, the Steelers remain hopeful that Aiyuk will end up in Pittsburgh, especially as their offense struggles to impress during the preseason.
After holding firm on their previous offer for months, the 49ers recently resumed negotiations with their star receiver and have reportedly put an improved offer on the table.
"The 49ers feel like they have already caved enough and caved more than they wanted to," NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo recently reported. "They have come up significantly from their offer in the spring."
Garafolo adds that the two sides have agreed on the first three years of the deal, with the only holdup being the contract's final year.
"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.'"
Until then, the 49ers wait on Aiyuk, Aiyuk waits on the 49ers, and the Steelers—well, they have to wait on everyone. Pittsburgh must be frustrated, as they reportedly have a framework for a trade with the 49ers in place and their own contract offer ready.
One 49ers player, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, is confident the situation will be resolved soon. When asked if San Francisco could win a Super Bowl without Aiyuk, he responded, "I think B.A. is gonna be a part of this team, so we don't have to worry about that."
Schefter admits this standoff has been one of the most unique in recent years. He notes that the situation could be resolved in days, a week, or right before the start of the season, similar to how defensive end Nick Bosa's contract negotiations played out last year.
"There has never been a situation where a player has been on the cusp of being traded a few different times, on the cusp of signing an extension with his own team, and nobody knowing a few weeks before the start of the season how it'll turn out," Schefter said.
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