One of the biggest unknowns — and perhaps the longest back-and-forth saga of the NFL preseason — is whether or not Brandon Aiyuk will be in a San Francisco 49ers uniform in 2024.
Aiyuk was at the 49ers’ training camp this summer but did not practice as he sought a contract extension. As of Tuesday, the 49ers had offered Aiyuk a contract extension but also have a deal in place with the Pittsburgh Steelers in case the receiver wants more years and/or money than they are offering.
Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk’s teammate for the past four seasons, was asked by Kay Adams on Friday if the 49ers could win the Super Bowl if the Arizona State player chose to sign with the Steelers.
“Can we win the Super Bowl without the NBA?” Samuel asked himself. Ab & Adams “I think BA will be part of this team, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Aiyuk has been the 49ers’ pass reception leader the past two years. In 2023, he caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earning his first career All-Pro nomination.
If the 49ers’ contract offer falls through and the Steelers’ deal also goes through, ESPN Adam Shifter The Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots are also reportedly still in contention to land the receiver via trade.
San Francisco has made a habit of dragging out preseason contract negotiations in recent years. In 2022, the 49ers signed Samuel to a new contract during training camp on July 31, and last year, they signed Nick Bosa to a new contract on Sept. 6 — just four days before the 2023 season opener against the Steelers.
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