Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors: 49ers Star Hasn't Been 'Easy to Work with' amid Talks

Confusion about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's preferences has reportedly contributed to the San Francisco 49ers' inability to get a trade done so far this preseason.

Speaking Tuesday on the Scoop City podcast (beginning at the 12:03 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini said the following about Aiyuk's situation:

"From what I was told, the player hasn't really been easy to work with in terms of what he wants, which I don't think is breaking news there because he seems to be a little bit all over the place. 'I want to be in San Francisco, I really want to play here, but no I actually want to play for Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.'"

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For more than a week, the trade rumors surrounding Aiyuk have run rampant with ESPN's Mike Reiss reporting that the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have been among the main teams to show interest.

NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco reported last week that the Niners had the framework for an Aiyuk trade in place with both the Browns and Patriots, and finalization of the deal was contingent on which team Aiyuk would be able to agree to a new contract with.

Maiocco added that the Steelers were either unable or unwilling to meet the 49ers' asking price for Aiyuk.

The 26-year-old Aiyuk is coming off a career year, as he led the Niners in receptions (75), receiving yards (1,342) and receiving touchdowns (seven), setting a new career high in receiving yards.

While the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option in Aiyuk's contract for 2024, he has been in search of a new deal, and his trade request was born from the Niners not signing him to an extension.

Aiyuk could have had the deal he desired in New England, but Russini reported last week on Scoop City that he turned down a $32 million per season offer due to concerns about the Pats' quarterback situation.

Later that same day, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Aiyuk and the 49ers were moving in a positive direction, noting that he had a meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan that led to contract negotiations restarting and "optimism" that the two sides would be able to hammer out a deal.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler then reported that the Aiyuk sweepstakes were "pretty much" down to him either staying in San Francisco or getting traded to Pittsburgh.

The 49ers offer Aiyuk the best chance to win, and it is already clear that he is a great fit in Shanahan's offense given what he accomplished last season and the connection he had with quarterback Brock Purdy.

Pittsburgh offers an intriguing situation as well since Aiyuk would be able to form a strong one-two punch with wide receiver George Pickens, but after quarterback Russell Wilson largely struggled the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, it is unclear if he will be able to turn things around now that he is with the Steelers.

Whether or not Aiyuk is traded is a multi-faceted issue in that he must accept a contract offer from the Steelers or another team, and that team must provide a trade package that the Niners are comfortable with.

If neither of those things happen, San Francisco is seemingly prepared to enter its Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the New York Jets with Aiyuk on the roster.