If Not 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Has Eyes on Commanders and Steelers

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 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.

The Pivot podcast took place before Aiyuk’s Monday meeting with the 49ers, which 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 and the 49ers brass met on Monday at Aiyuk’s request. This was a good meeting from what I was told. Both sides said things that needed to be said and they’re gonna keep working,” Pelissero said. “It’s important to note here, there’s never been a trade request from Brandon Aiyuk. That hasn’t changed. The 49ers’ stance hasn’t changed either. Despite getting trade calls on Aiyuk going back to draft week, they’re moving forward, and they want Aiyuk to be a part of the team in 2024.”

While Aiyuk doesn’t envision leaving the Bay Area, he mentioned two teams that he wouldn’t mind playing for if things went sideways in his negotiations with the 49ers — the Washington Commanders and 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.

Former Steelers free safety and host of The Pivot, Ryan Clark, was happy to hear his former team mentioned.

Clark: From your lips to Gods ears, Steeler uniform.

Clark: They ain’t got no one right now but George Pickens.

Aiyuk: Dawg……. DAWG!

Clark: We got two new QB’s “BA”

Aiyuk: “You ain’t gotta tell me!”

Ryan Clark: “from your lips to Gods ears, Steeler uniform”

Ryan Clark: they ain’t got no one right now but George Pickens.

Aiyuk: dawg……. DAWG!

Ryan Clark: we got two new QB’s “BA”

Aiyuk: “you ain’t gotta tell me!” pic.twitter.com/xLa6zlLO1P

— Baku 🐧 (@Mazursky8895) June 28, 2024

Throughout the offseason, the Steelers have been linked as a possible trade partner for Aiyuk. As it stands now, the Steelers have one of the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL.

Aiyuk also sparked speculation in March when he sent a message Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin a message on X, stating “@CoachTomlin they saying we twins. What you think?”

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.