NFL Rumors: Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers Progressing in Contract Talks Amid Trade Buzz

The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk "continue to progress on a long-term contract extension," NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday.

According to Schultz, there remain "minor details that still need to be ironed out with ownership approval."

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Aug. 9 that the 49ers had begun a "renewed effort" to sign the 26-year-old after trade rumors linked him to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.

The Browns offered a trade package for Aiyuk that would have sent receiver Amari Cooper, as well as second- and fifth-round picks, to San Francisco, Matt Maiocco reported for NBC Sports Bay Area.

The trade was not finalized because "the Browns were not one of Aiyuk's preferred destinations," according to Maiocco.

In contrast, he would have been fine with a trade to the Steelers, per Maiocco. But when Pittsburgh reportedly did not match an asking price that included second- and third-round picks, that deal stalled out as well.

Aiyuk initially requested a trade from the 49ers in July after early negotiations with San Francisco reportedly stalled.

The wide receiver is set to make just over $14 million in the final year of his rookie contract, and he was seeking to play the 2024 season for an amount closer to market value for the league's top receivers.

That became more challenging this summer as the top of that market was reset multiple times, perhaps most notably by the four-year, $140 million deal agreed to by the Minnesota Vikings and wideout Justin Jefferson.

But with potential deals with the Browns and Steelers both having hit walls, and another potential suitor in the New England Patriots rescinding their interest, the 49ers may have little choice but to work out a new deal with Aiyuk or risk having his holdout stretch into the 2024 season.

Aiyuk recorded a career-high 1,342 receiving yards last season and is likely to remain a top target for Brock Purdy if he sticks around in San Francisco this fall.