‘Blunt’ Kyle Shanahan refuses to dig deep into Brandon Aiyuk saga with 49ers

San Francisco 49ers HC refused to reveal much about Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation but still hopes the star wide receiver will remain with the team.

‘Blunt’ Kyle Shanahan refuses to dig deep into Brandon Aiyuk saga with 49ers

Kyle Shanahan refuses to dig deep into Brandon Aiyuk saga with 49ers (Image via IMAGO)

Kyle Shanahan wasn’t in the mood to answer questions outside of the San Francisco 49ers pre-season loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. Yet he knew the media would ask about Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation during the post-game press conference.

After the game ended 17-13 in favor of the Titans, Shanahan spoke with the reporters, and besides the loss, they questioned the status quo of the Aiyuk’s position amongst the 49ers ranks. A few days ago, news leaked out from the 49ers’ facility of restarting the negotiations with Aiyuk’s camp amidst trade rumors.

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Shanahan kept a straight face and reiterated the same words from an earlier interview. He would love to keep the all-pro receiver in the 49ers but was also open to any possibility.

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I met with Brandon a bunch here since we started out camp, and I'm not going to get into any personal things between us.
Kyle Shanahan said per 49ers Webzone
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Insider reveals Brandon Aiyuk to Steelers is almost complete even if Kyle Shanahan continues to shrug off the questions

Two teams that showed the most interest in Aiyuk are the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. While it’s unclear what the Steelers will offer in the trade, the Browns reportedly agreed to send Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to the 49ers along with a first- and fifth-round pick.

'Blunt' Kyle Shanahan refuses to dig deep into Brandon Aiyuk saga with 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk (Image via IMAGO)

Cooper seemed enticed by the proposition of playing in a Super Bowl-worthy side, but Aiyuk himself reportedly turned down the deal. While they are still on the table, the Steelers, as per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, appear to be the likeliest destination for the Arizona graduate.

I'm told it's pretty much down to the Steelers and 49ers, him staying in San Francisco, at this point.
Jeremy Fowler said during a recent segment of SportsCenter

Brandon Aiyuk will earn $14.25 million in 2024. The 49ers initially offered $28 million, which wasn’t to the liking of the wideout because the receiver market reset after Justin Jefferson’s $35 million deal. So, now he wants between $30 and $32 million annually. Shanahan remains optimistic even though it’s almost the third week of training camp.

I am hopeful, and I do think it can [happen], but like I said last week, everything's open. But hopefully, it does.
Kyle Shanahan said

Despite Shanahan’s reply, the media kept pressing him for a definite answer, but instead, they only received a refusal to comply.

You can ask again in a different way, and I can answer in the same way, but I'm not angry. If that came off angry, I'm no.
Kyle Shanahan said

The 49ers have no other choice but to keep negotiating with Aiyuk at this point. If he agrees to a new deal, then perhaps he might feature in one of the two pre-season games remaining before the 2024 regular season starts in mid-September.

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