The Brandon Aiyuk saga is heading for a conclusion, and that conclusion appears to be in Pittsburgh. That's according to the reliable reporters of NFL Network.
Starting with Mike Garafalo, the expectation is that Aiyuk ends up with the Steelers.
"We do believe that in the end it's going to wind up being the Pittsburgh Steelers, because that sounds like that's Brandon Aiyuk's intended destination or his number one destination," Garafolo said. "From my understanding ending in recent days, they had had conversations with the 49ers about, well where would you like to go? And the Steelers were up there and the 49ers were somewhere on the list as well. But I just don't see a scenario and I didn't for the last couple days and definitely don't now where these sides can get together on a long-term contract. They really haven't had a formal offer. Aiyuk's camp hasn't for months now. So it just don't see that making a U-turn and all of a sudden going back to a situation where he's with the 49ers for the long term."
So, that's it, then. The 49ers refuse to make Aiyuk a compelling offer and seem content to trade him. But it all hinges on where the star receiver wants to go.
Garafolo also pointed out that it's clearly not only about the money. Aiyuk turned down a monstrous offer, as reported by ESPN's Mike Reiss, from the New England Patriots. The offer would have paid him roughly $32 million per year and he turned it down. Anywhere else would be less than that.
Ian Rapoport followed suit.
"I would agree with you," Rapoport said. "It does seem like the eventual outcome - not the current outcome - but the eventual outcome, is Brandon Aiyuk playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the 49ers moving on for some draft picks, which is fascinating from the Steelers' standpoint."
If this does indeed come to pass, it is a bizarre move from the 49ers this late in the summer.
