Going practically two days with out a Brandon Aiyuk replace has been out of character for this house, based mostly on the information quantity this case has produced this summer time. John Lynch supplied one other one, discussing the edges’ enduring extension talks somewhat than any commerce risk.
The 49ers are believed to have trade parameters set with the Steelers, however that looks as if the group’s backup plan. In spite of everything, it might be difficult to switch Aiyuk, given the timing right here. And the 49ers are gunning for an elusive Lynch-Kyle Shanahan-era Tremendous Bowl title. Aiyuk represents a central a part of that equation, and the 49ers are nonetheless attempting to hammer out a deal. They ramped up negotiations again late last week. Nevertheless, they’ve been at this for a number of months.
“We began this early and, for no matter purpose, haven’t been capable of get it throughout the end line,” Lynch mentioned throughout an look on KNBR (via NFL.com). “That’s been irritating, however the communication nonetheless has been actually good each with Brandon and his agent, and we’re attempting to determine options.
“ I’m all the time hopeful. I’m an optimistic individual in nature, and I’m all the time hopeful that we’ll get there and get there quickly. I can let you know, we really feel the urgency to have him, the season’s approaching, and now we have ample time.”
Because the Steelers wait because the fallback choice, the 49ers have upped their extension provide to the second-team All-Professional broad receiver. After a hyper-efficient 2023 season, Aiyuk has seen the receiver market shift as soon as once more. The fifth-year participant has positioned his worth significantly greater than the 49ers’ assessment, however it does appear the hole has narrowed. Would the 49ers commerce their greatest exterior receiver at this juncture on their timeline due to the remaining small worth hole?
Lynch did point out he wished he knew what Aiyuk’s holdup is, because the wideout’s slow-moving talks have dominated 49ers protection this 12 months. The eighth-year San Francisco GM did focus on Aiyuk in trades through the draft, however this isn’t the primary time for the reason that negotiations started that Lynch expressed hope that Aiyuk would remain a 49er in the long term.
Although the team agreed to deals with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel early in camp (2020, 2022), they reached resolutions with Nick Bosa and Jimmy Garoppolo simply earlier than the season. The 49ers nonetheless have greater than three weeks earlier than Week 1, although Aiyuk would presumably want some observe reps earlier than the Jets matchup to start the season as a full-time participant. Shanahan mentioned he trusts the receiver to be prepared; nonetheless, Aiyuk has attended meetings during his hold-in.
“We love BA as a participant; I believe you see it each time he goes on the market representing the Niners,” Lynch mentioned. “He’s a man we traded up for within the first spherical again within the ’20 draft. I keep in mind doing it from my visitor home through the COVID instances, and we’re lucky to have added him to our squad, and we’d actually wish to maintain him round. So we’ll see the way it goes.”
Aiyuk, 26, is believed to have wedged the Patriots and Browns out of the mix. Though the Steelers’ offensive state of affairs will not be on the 49ers’ stage and doesn’t characteristic a surefire long-term QB choice, Aiyuk appears to have authorized Pittsburgh as a vacation spot. Nevertheless, the Steelers may be ready a bit as Lynch sounds dedicated to taking the time vital to finish an extension.
