Discussions over a potential trade of Brandon Aiyuk are still said to be ongoing between the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers, but there is no sign of an imminent agreement.
The Niners are reported to not be satisfied with any of the proposed trade packages from the Steelers. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the 49ers want a wide receiver to fill the void Aiyuk would leave, though they are open to acquiring players at other positions.
San Francisco's desire to acquire a wideout in a prospective trade of their leading receiver from the last two seasons flies in the face of recent comments from head coach Kyle Shanahan about his confidence in the wide receivers that would have to step up in the event of an Aiyuk trade.
The 49ers obviously have another former All-Pro in Deebo Samuel who has enjoyed an exceptional training camp and have a lot of faith in the clutch ability of would-be Super Bowl 58 hero Jauan Jennings, whom they signed to an extension this offseason.
Ricky Pearsall's selection with the 31st overall pick raised eyebrows and, though he has received widespread praise for his efforts in camp, his injury issues and those of fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing mean a trade of Aiyuk would risk leaving the 49ers light at receiver, especially given Samuel's history of durability problems.
Shanahan, though, has recently expressed comfort operating with the receivers he would have at his disposal if Aiyuk was to go elsewhere.
“I love the guys that we have in the building. I love the vets that we’ve had here that have played at high level, love the new ones we brought in for competition. And I love the young guys," said Shanahan.
"They have been banged up, trying to get healthy. Battling a shoulder, battling a hamstring. But when they’re out there, they’re getting better. I hope that they can get healthy, continue to stay healthy so they can’t get the time in that they need to be ready. I know they will be if they get that time in.
"But that’s the risky and hard thing about football. Football is a tough thing to practice, tough thing to get prepared for and you have to do that at a very high level. And you hope they have no setbacks as they go along. And if they don’t, I feel very good about the guys because they have what it takes."
On Pearsall potentially replacing Aiyuk for Week 1, Shanahan added: "I’d feel comfortable with whoever it is. It’s an issue as a coach, there’s times that I think Aiyuk missed a game last year and we had to do that. So it’s something you’re always prepared for."
Nobody would expect Shanahan to suggest his other receivers would not be up to the task if Aiyuk was to be traded, but the fact the Niners are apparently seeking a wide receiver in any deal speaks to a lack of organizational comfort in the other options outside of the likes of Samuel and Jennings.
It's the reason that ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Niners are in "no rush" to trade Aiyuk and why all options, including San Francisco keeping their second-team All-Pro, remain on the table.
As Shanahan said to KNBR on Thursday: "In a perfect world, you’d love [for Aiyuk and the 49ers to work out a deal]. But there's a lot of sides to it.
"There’s us, what we want. It’s [also] what he wants. There’s a whole contract and stuff to that. It’s the tough business part of this league, and some years it can be harder than others. This is a very difficult one, but it’s something you’re always holding out hope for."
The clear reality is that the Niners are a much better team with Aiyuk. Nobody knows this more than Shanahan, whose hope that things turn out how he wants may grow the longer this saga goes without San Francisco receiving a satisfactory trade offer.
Related: Everything you need to know about the 49ers vs Titans preseason game, how to watch and who's playing?
Local San Francisco, CA
Most Popular
Comments / 0