After inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk’s availability, the New England Patriots have determined to not discover any additional commerce potentialities with the San Francisco 49ers relating to their standout vast receiver, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
The Patriots have been one in all three groups that had been in touch with the Niners a couple of potential commerce for Aiyuk, together with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, sources instructed ESPN.
New England had been making an attempt to accumulate Aiyuk for months, and it had been a gradual course of from its aspect, in accordance with sources. New England was keen to make Aiyuk one of many high 5 highest-paid vast receivers within the NFL when it comes to common wage per 12 months, a supply stated.
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Aiyuk, a second-team All-Professional and the Niners’ greatest receiver in 2023, was on the staff facility Tuesday however didn’t take part in observe as he continued his hold-in. By the staff’s first 11 practices of coaching camp, Aiyuk, 26, has typically been noticed watching observe from the sideline, however that hasn’t occurred over the previous couple of classes. He has, nonetheless, been attending conferences and taking part commonly in these.
The Niners confirmed early Tuesday that Aiyuk had obtained permission to barter with different groups however stated there’s nonetheless a situation the place a deal will get finished to maintain Aiyuk in San Francisco.
“It has been at this level for a bit of bit, so nothing actually new to me,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated Tuesday. “You are at all times disillusioned when you possibly can’t maintain maintain of all of your gamers or it isn’t going precisely proper. I do not like dropping anyone, in order that’s why I am hoping it does work out right here. However proper now, we do not have that solved but. I hope it does.”
The scenario might result in a number of outcomes, together with Aiyuk staying with the 49ers and enjoying out the fifth-year possibility on his rookie deal that will pay him $14.124 million, sources stated. Different groups are keen to pay Aiyuk greater than twice as a lot, however he has balked thus far at a number of provides, in accordance with sources.
The 49ers additionally should be snug with any commerce compensation, and sources instructed ESPN that the reigning NFC champions are keen to maintain Aiyuk.
“Brandon’s an awesome participant, so it is actual laborious to be higher once you lose an awesome participant,” Shanahan stated. “We have got to look into something. We have got to grasp the scenario we’re in, what that appears like, and it does take time — so hopefully, it will all work out the very best for him and the very best for us in the long term.”
The Steelers’ talks with the 49ers had been stalled as of Monday night time, however the groups reengaged in commerce discussions Tuesday in an ever-fluid scenario that also includes different groups, as nicely, sources instructed Schefter.
When requested about experiences linking the Browns to Aiyuk and whether or not he’s a participant who might assist Cleveland, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stated, “I do not actually get into experiences or speculate. … I am actually simply centered on in the present day and observe.”
Stefanski additionally stated he would maintain non-public any conversations he has had with Cleveland vast receiver Amari Cooper, whose identify has been floated in a hypothetical deal for Aiyuk.
A primary-round decide of the Niners in 2020, Aiyuk had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns final season.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Nick Wagoner and Daniel Oyefusi contributed to this report.
