Because it seems, it’s not all in regards to the cash for Brandon Aiyuk, in any case.
The San Francisco 49ers star receiver reportedly turned down a profitable contract extension from the New England Patriots that might have made him one of many 5 highest-paid WRs within the NFL, based on ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo reiterated the identical factor Thursday on “The Wealthy Eisen Present,” stating New England supplied Aiyuk a deal that might have paid him $32 million per yr however he rejected it.
“Aiyuk in his thoughts appears like he’s a No. 1 (WR), and after I get evaluations across the league they are saying, ‘Nicely, he’s a 1B. Like, he’s on the underside of that tier, however we contemplate him a [No. 1],’” Garafolo said. “And in his thoughts, he’s saying, ‘Nicely, I’ve not less than acquired to be on the [$28M] that a few of these different guys are at, and the Niners weren’t there and the Patriots had been keen to separate these two tiers. I’m telling you irrespective of the place he indicators, irrespective of the place he will get traded, irrespective of the place the subsequent deal comes from…it’s not going to be [better than the Patriots’ offer].”
As of Thursday night, Aiyuk remains to be a member of the 49ers, and so they don’t must commerce him.
Aiyuk is beneath contract for 2024, and due to the franchise tag, they’ll theoretically preserve him for the subsequent three seasons. Which means, San Francisco has the posh of ready till the Steelers both give you a greater commerce package deal or a 3rd staff steps in to assist facilitate a deal. (SF reportedly desires a WR again in any commerce involving Aiyuk.)