Report: 49ers have Aiyuk trade framework with Browns, Patriots

The ball is seemingly in Brandon Aiyuk's court.

The San Francisco 49ers have negotiated the frameworks of trades that would send the disgruntled wide receiver to the Cleveland Browns or New England Patriots, a source told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

It's now reportedly up to Aiyuk to decide if he will accept the contract terms from either of those teams. Cleveland and New England reportedly presented their best offers to the pass-catcher's camp, and the 49ers already accepted their trade proposals. The Niners are expected to receive a veteran receiver and draft picks in a potential Aiyuk trade, notes Maiocco.

San Francisco gave the second-team All-Pro receiver permission to negotiate potential contracts with the Browns, Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders, according to Maiocco, who adds that Pittsburgh and Washington are no longer realistic options.

Washington apparently removed itself from trade talks with Aiyuk, while Pittsburgh declined to meet San Francisco's trade terms. In June, the 26-year-old mentioned the Steelers and Commanders as the teams he could potentially see himself playing for if he left San Francisco.

Aiyuk - who's entering the last year of his rookie contract - requested a trade from San Francisco on July 16. Teams contacted the 49ers last month, but Niners general manager John Lynch repeatedly said the team didn't intend to move the two-time 1,000-yard receiver. San Francisco, however, started to have discussions in recent days regarding a potential trade, sources told NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

It's more likely that Aiyuk will be traded than sign an extension with the 49ers, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported Monday, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook.

Aiyuk reported to the 49ers' training camp in July but hasn't been practicing amid stalled contract talks with the team. San Francisco reportedly shopped Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel in April but ultimately decided to keep the star playmakers. The team then drafted wideout Ricky Pearsall in Round 1.

Aiyuk caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games last season. The 2020 first-round pick's 17.9 yards per reception ranked second in the NFL among eligible receivers in 2023. The former Arizona State star, who is set to earn $14.1 million in 2024, has a market value of $26.2 million per year, according to Spotrac.

The Patriots have been trying to trade for Aiyuk for months, sources told ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Both the Patriots and the Browns have been looking for wide receiver help since early in the offseason. New England signed K.J. Osborn in free agency and drafted Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the second and fourth round in April, respectively. The AFC East club also rosters DeMario Davis and Kendrick Bourne, who began training camp on the PUP list after sustaining a torn ACL last year.

The Patriots - who have the second-most salary-cap space in the AFC at the moment - would reportedly include Bourne in a trade package to land Aiyuk.

The Browns have already traded for a wide receiver this year, acquiring Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos in March for a fifth- and sixth-round pick. Cleveland then gave Jeudy a three-year extension worth $58 million. The 25-year-old missed the start of camp due to injury but returned to the practice field this week.

In order to acquire Aiyuk, Cleveland would most likely have to send five-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to San Francisco, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. The 30-year-old set a career high with 1,250 yards in 2023 and recently received a raise as part of a restructured deal. However, he turned 30 this offseason and has only one year left on his current contract.