In a pre-taped The Pivot podcast episode, 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he doesn’t expect leaving San Francisco, despite feeling disrespected by the team’s long-term offers.
Aiyuk reiterated that he wants to stay in San Fran when speaking with TMZ Sports at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday
“For sure,” Aiyuk told TMZ Sport about remaining a 49er. “For sure!”
Aiyuk told Ryan Clark earlier this week before meeting with the team on Monday that he took the 49ers offers “personal.” The meeting with the 49ers reportedly went well. The two sides are not where they want to be yet but they’re heading in the right direction, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Aiyuk is seeking a deal that matches or exceeds the $30 million per year that the Detroit Lions gave Amon-Ra St. Brown earlier this offseason. Aiyuk is not stressing over the contract negotiations, though.
“I’m just vibing, man. I’m just hanging out,” Aiyuk told TMZ Sports.
Reporter: “Do you wanna be in a 49ers uniform next year?”
Brandon Aiyuk: “For sure.”
Aiyuk also addresses wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates hat driving into Levi’s by saying the team sent him gear but there’s no connection there.
🎥: @TMZ_Sports | #49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/QgWb0fNhM7
— Sterling Bennett (@49ers_Access) June 29, 2024
If the contract negotiations go sideways with San Francisco, Aiyuk wouldn’t mind playing for the Washington Commanders or Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Probably a 49ers uniform, if not a 49ers uniform probably a Washington Commanders uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, probably Steelers uniform,” Aiyuk said on The Pivot.
As for the Pittsburgh Pirates hat he was wearing while driving into Levi’s Stadium this week, Aiyuk said it had nothing to do with the Steelers. It was just a gift from the Pirates.
“Everybody can rest easy,” he said. “We’ve got God on our side. Everybody rest easy,” he said.
The Commanders emerged as a favorite to land Aiyuk because of his close connection with Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels. The two were teammates at Arizona State.
Daniels was also with Aiyuk during The Pivot interview. Aiyuk took to social media to express his displeasure at the lack of movement last week, posting a video to TikTok where he told Daniels that the 49ers “don’t want me.”
“When you talk about social media, shit, there’s a quarterback right there (in reference to Daniels). I’m thinking about what I could do with him. I’m thinking about if the Niners don’t want me to come back to play with them. I’m thinking about what I could do, I know what I could do,” Aiyuk told The Pivot.