49ers HC Kyle Shanahan admits looking at “every possibility” with Brandon Aiyuk despite persistent friction between the two parties

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hopes to wrap up Brandon Aiyuk's deal quickly, but he is also prepared for life without the receiver.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan admits looking at “every possibility” with Brandon Aiyuk despite persistent friction between the two parties

Kyle Shanahan hopes Brandon Aiyuk's deal gets done quickly but is open for anything (Image via IMAGO)

Kyle Shanahan’s perfect 49ers world consists of Brock Purdy throwing touchdowns to Brandon Aiyuk. On the other hand, he will accept if the star wideout chooses to leave instead of staying in the Bay Area.

Aiyuk is in his contract year, in which he will earn $14.124 million and then enter free agency in 2025. He wants to sign an extension worthy of his all-pro 2023 season.

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However, the 49ers are hard-pressed due to salary cap issues, which made the situation tricky, and even after two weeks into off-season camp, Aiyuk remains without a new deal and holding out from training.

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On Thursday, Kyle Shanahan spoke with KNBR radio’s Tom Tolbert and Kerry Crowley, to whom he discussed the ongoing situation surrounding Aiyuk. According to his own words, Shanahan was prepared for a dragged-out negotiation with the wide receiver.

The 44-year-old highlighted the business part is something they need to be ready about every year. Not only that, there’s also the risk of losing players through injury like an ACL tear. Fortunately, for the 49ers, Aiyuk did not pick up any injuries during the offseason, and if they agree on a deal, then the Arizona graduate will immediately be available to play.

I came into the situation understanding that it could be like this, so we prepared for that.
Kyle Shanahan said

In the meantime, the 49ers finally allowed Aiyuk to speak with potential trade partners. Three teams showed interest in the Pro Bowler, including the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cleveland Browns.

Despite the interests, Shanahan hopes Aiyuk sticks around in San Fran.

In a perfect world, you'd love all that to happen.
Kyle Shanahan said
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Pittsburgh Steelers remain in the hunt to land Brandon Aiyuk

Unlike the 49ers, who are short on cash, the Steelers possess decent cap space and want to give new quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields the best options they can afford. Their #1 target is George Pickens, who had 1000 yards last year, and a bunch of rookies and second years.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan admits looking at "every possibility" with Brandon Aiyuk despite persistent friction amongst the two parties
Brandon Aiyuk (Image via IMAGO)

Adding Aiyuk would do the world of good for the Steelers, and he has expressed working with head coach Mike Tomlin in the past. After an initial offer, they reportedly backed off from the race, but NBC’s Matt Maiocco shared they were back in the mix once more.

Shanahan keeps tabs on everything regarding Aiyuk and hopes he will stay with the 49ers past 2024.

[It] would be awesome to wake up one day and know we have this solved.
Kyle Shanahan said

The 49ers offered Aiyuk $28 million, but he rejected it because he wanted at least $32 million, which is closer to Justin Jefferson’s $35 million annual salary. Time is running out.

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