The Brandon Aiyuk trade saga finally came to a close last week as the San Francisco 49ers secured the All-Pro wide receiver with a four-year, $120 million extension. While many expected Aiyuk to remain with the Niners, reports indicate that the franchise came closer than anticipated to honoring his trade request.
Throughout the process, three teams emerged as serious contenders for Aiyuk’s services: the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns. Each of these teams reportedly had trade packages in place, but ultimately, none of the deals materialized.
On Monday, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed the specifics of these trade offers, providing a glimpse into how close Aiyuk came to leaving San Francisco.
According to Breer, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the closest to landing Aiyuk. The Steelers were prepared to offer a package consisting of second and third-round draft picks, but no players were included in the deal. However, a significant sticking point was Pittsburgh’s unwillingness to offer Aiyuk a contract that would exceed the annual salary of their superstar edge rusher, T.J. Watt. This decision likely played a role in the talks stalling.
The New England Patriots were also in the mix, presenting a trade package that included a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and a player. Reports indicate that the 49ers requested wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who had previously spent three seasons with San Francisco before signing with the Patriots. Interestingly, the Patriots were willing to pay Aiyuk up to $32 million annually, a figure that underscored their commitment to acquiring the talented receiver.
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As for the Cleveland Browns, their proposed deal was intriguing but complex. Breer reports that the Browns were willing to part with a second and third-round pick, along with veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper, to secure Aiyuk. The inclusion of Cooper, who had recently received an extension from Cleveland, added a layer of complication to the potential trade. Nevertheless, this proposal highlighted the Browns’ desire to bolster their receiving corps with Aiyuk’s dynamic playmaking abilities.
While Aiyuk ultimately stayed with the 49ers, these trade discussions shed light on the motivations of the interested teams and what San Francisco was seeking in return. It’s clear that the Niners were looking for a veteran replacement who could immediately contribute to their NFC title defense. Meanwhile, the Patriots were willing to offer a substantial annual salary, and the Steelers remained cautious about overpaying, especially in comparison to their franchise player, T.J. Watt.
As the NFL season kicks off, these near-miss trades offer a fascinating look at what might have been. The details of these potential deals will certainly fuel plenty of “what-if” conversations among fans and analysts alike, adding another layer of intrigue to Aiyuk’s continued career in San Francisco.
