Photo: Steph Chambers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he expected to remain with the team, but could see himself playing for the Washington Commanders or Pittsburgh Steelers if traded.
“If I were to take a guess, probably a Niners uniform,” Aiyuk said during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast this week.. “Probably a Niners uniform, but if not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commander uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, then probably a Steelers uniform.”
The Athletic's Dianna Russini previously reported that the Niners "had conversations with teams, including with one picking in the top 10, about trading either" Aiyuk or fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel "in an effort to move up in the first-round" prior to the 2024 NFL Draft in April.
The San Francisco Chronicle's Mike Silver reported that "the 49ers are now more likely to deal" Samuel than Aiyuk "based on my conversations with other teams" during the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Niners general manager John Lynch also previously said the team was having "good talks" with Aiyuk and the two sides were "working through" a plan to keep him "for the rest of his career" amid trade speculation.
In April, Aiyuk's agent, Ryan Williams, denied that his client requested a trade in a post shared on his X account.
Aiyuk spoke to reporters on February 13, two days after San Francisco's Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and addressed his future with the team after his girlfriend, Rochelle Searight, and a former teammate both appeared to hint at a possible departure.
Aiyuk responded, "if that's the right move, yeah," when asked if he hoped to remain with the 49ers moving forward during the team's exit interviews on February 13. The second-team All-Pro then said "being a champion" when asked what would make staying in the Bay Area the right move.
On February 12, Searight shared a since-deleted TikTok detailing her "travel day of shame" following the Niners' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
"This is the exact reason why we leaving San Francisco," Hudson wrote. "Thank you 49ers for drafting my brother we are forever grateful.
"BA to Vegas," Hudson added with a pirate emoji, teasing interest in joining the Las Vegas Raiders. "Why does your All-Pro 1,300 yard receiver have three catches in the Super Bowl??"
Aiyuk recorded a career-best 1,342 yards, as well as seven touchdowns and 75 receptions, during the 2023 regular season, but was limited to just nine receptions for 149 yards and one touchdown in three playoff appearances, including three receptions for 49 yards on six targets in Super Bowl LVIII. San Francisco has invoked the fifth-year option on Aiyuk's contract, so he will be signed until the 2025 offseason unless he's traded sooner.
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