The 49ers have negotiated trade frameworks that could send wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to either the Cleveland Browns or the New England Patriots, according to a league source who spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area on Monday night.
Aiyuk now needs to decide whether he will accept the contract terms from these teams, the source mentioned.
The 49ers allowed Aiyuk to negotiate potential deals with the Browns, Patriots, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers, the source added.
The Commanders have withdrawn from the trade discussions for Aiyuk, and the Steelers are no longer an option after refusing to meet the 49ers’ trade demands, the source said.
The Browns and Patriots have made their best offers to Aiyuk’s representatives and have presented trade proposals that the 49ers have agreed to, the source said.
The 49ers are likely to receive a veteran wide receiver and a package of draft picks from the Browns or Patriots.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns might add Aiyuk if wide receiver Amari Cooper is included in the trade to the 49ers.
The Patriots are expected to include former 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the deal if Aiyuk accepts New England’s offer.
If Aiyuk ultimately decides not to sign a multiyear contract with the Browns or Patriots, he could stay with the 49ers. However, substantial contract talks between Aiyuk and the 49ers have not occurred for months. Aiyuk is currently under a rookie deal set to pay him $14.124 million this season.
Aiyuk, 26, reported to 49ers training camp on time but is not expected to practice until his contract situation is resolved.
Aiyuk has led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards for the past two seasons and was named second-team AP All-Pro after catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Eight wide receivers currently earn at least $25 million annually, and Aiyuk may be seeking a deal worth around $30 million per year.
