49ers GM Blasts Steelers WR Trade Rumors

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch stands firm on the notion that they’re not interested in trading wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, or Deebo Samuel, who has recently emerged in reports.

The 49ers selected Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at 31st overall, which furthered speculation that a 49er receiver could be on the move. Lynch threw cold water on those rumors.

“We didn’t entertain any of that today. We’re happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We’re thrilled with it. And thrilled to add Ricky to it to make it stronger,” Lynch said, via Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group.

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly kicked the tires on Samuel, but they couldn’t meet in the middle with San Fran on a trade.

“For what it’s worth, I’m told the Steelers had interest in trading for Deebo Samuel but were unwilling to meet the 49ers’ price…,” Micheal Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote on X.

Silver added in another post that a Samuel trade to any team is still possible, but not likely to happen tonight or tomorrow. It is not clear what kind of a trade package the 49ers were looking for.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic said she spoke to Samuel on the phone and asked his reaction to the 49ers’ drafting of his potential replacement, and to the reports that they explored trading him. “I know what’s going on,” he said, “but it is what it is. I’m good staying with them. I’m chilling.”

Russini reported on Thursday that the 49ers were having discussions with teams to trade Brandon Aiyuk or Samuel to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft. That is the first known time that the 49ers were shopping both players. Aiyuk has been linked to the Steelers since March, however.

The 49ers have been asking for a first round pick in exchange for Aiyuk, who wants a new contract in the range of $25 million per year. General manager John Lynch has been steadfast in saying that he does not want to trade the star receiver.

The Steelers have expressed interest in trading for Aiyuk, Steelers Now has confirmed, but their initial efforts were rebuffed, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

“My understanding is that the Steelers placed a phone call a few weeks ago. And were told by the 49ers we’re not trading the guy,” Florio said in an appearance on 93.7 the Fan on Wednesday.

According to offshore sportsbook SportsBetting.ag, the Steelers are the favorites to land Aiyuk should he leave San Francisco. Aiyuk is heading into the last year of his rookie contract, and will play on the fifth-year option. But the 49ers have a cap crunch, and with Aiyuk needing an extension, that could be significant.