San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk shared his thoughts on the potential uniforms he might wear for the 2024 NFL season during a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast.
At the 45:45 mark, Aiyuk humorously speculated, “If I were to take a guess, probably a Niner uniform. I mean, if not a Niner uniform, probably a Washington Commander uniform. If not a Washington Commander uniform, probably a Steelers uniform.”
As the 26-year-old navigates the complexities of his contract situation with San Francisco, discussions about his future have become increasingly prevalent. Dianna Russini of The Athletic has reported that the 49ers engaged in trade conversations about Aiyuk or his teammate Deebo Samuel around the 2024 NFL draft.
Amid these negotiations, Aiyuk did not attend the team’s voluntary workouts or the mandatory minicamp, underscoring his pursuit of a new contract.
He is in the final year of his current deal, with a salary of $14.1 million, and is poised to enter free agency in 2025, according to Spotrac.
Despite a lack of agreement during a recent meeting with the 49ers’ front office, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that both parties remain engaged in talks.
Pelissero noted that a trade does not seem to be in the immediate plans for the team, indicating that negotiations might continue.
While Aiyuk has expressed a preference to stay with the 49ers, his connections to other teams have fueled speculation about possible moves.
He has been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, the team “looked into” acquiring him earlier in the offseason.
Additionally, his past as teammates with Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State in 2019 adds a personal dimension to the rumors connecting him to Washington. The speculation was further fueled by a TikTok post on June 17, in which Aiyuk implied to Daniels that San Francisco might not want him back.
Coming off a standout season where he recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, Aiyuk is clearly preparing for all possibilities as the new season approaches.
While his preference might be to remain a 49er, his openness to other opportunities reflects a realistic approach to the often unpredictable nature of NFL careers.