Money and winning are important factors for Brandon Aiyuk, but neither is everything.
The San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver has shown he's walking a fine line with his trade and contract demands.
It was the message he sent when he rebuffed the New England Patriots, who reportedly had both a trade framework and contract extension proposal in place. New England reportedly was willing to make Aiyuk one of the five highest-paid wide receivers with an extension offer topping $30 million annually.
Aiyuk seemingly said, ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
It prompted the Patriots to back out of the Aiyuk sweepstakes, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday night. It's fair to believe New England learned of Aiyuk's lack of interest and tried to save whatever face it had left.
It feels there now are three options remaining for Aiyuk: He could stay in San Francisco or be traded to either the Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers.
Should Aiyuk want to win there's no better option than staying put in the Bay Area. The Niners, consistently in the NFC Championship Game, enter the season as the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl. They lost a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in overtime back in February. Why request a trade?
Well, because it doesn't seem like San Francisco is going to pay Aiyuk what he feels he deserves. (New England would've.)
Both the Browns and the Steelers are once again playoff contenders after reaching the postseason last campaign. That's something that differentiates them from the rebuilding Patriots. But with obstacles like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Josh Allen, neither Cleveland nor Pittsburgh figures to win the AFC the next few years.
By all accounts, Aiyuk's preference is Pittsburgh. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who always has his group in playoff contention, seems to be a draw to Aiyuk. It's a stable and well-respected organization, no doubt. But Pittsburgh does not sit atop the AFC like San Francisco does in the NFC.
Will the Steelers pay Aiyuk like a top-five wideout? Maybe, or maybe they won't have to. Perhaps they strike the balance Aiyuk is seeking in his long-term situation.
