Brandon Aiyuk reacts to reports about the latest surprise development in his stand-off with the 49ers

Things appear to be progressing towards a resolution between the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, but the All-Pro wide receiver still isn't completely happy with the way the Niners are handling business.

The Niners appeared to have resigned themselves to losing Aiyuk, giving him permission to speak to potential trade partners and agreeing trade frameworks with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, though the latter pulled out of the race after Aiyuk seemingly expressed no desire to play in Foxborough.

San Francisco had also been negotiating with the Pittsburgh Steelers, seemingly Aiyuk's preferred destination. However, a late plot twist came on Friday, with reports emerging that the 49ers had re-engaged in negotiations with Aiyuk and were pushing to get a deal done. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the 49ers have not engaged in trade talks with the Steelers for 24 hours.

Those developments would appear to point to the 49ers now keeping Aiyuk on a long-term contract, but it's clear they still some work to do to achieve that feat and to repair their relationship with their leading receiver from the last two seasons.

In response to an Instagram post about the reports surrounding an apparent about face from the 49ers, Aiyuk wrote in the comments: "Niners be in the media everyday lol, it's two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports."

Aiyuk's response makes it clear the two sides still aren't close to an agreement, and that he is frustrated with the way details of an extremely protracted saga have made their way into the media.

The 49ers do, as he states, have two options, pay him or trade him. With the door seemingly beginning to close on the latter avenue, it looks likely the 49ers will pay him sooner rather than later, but it may take longer to heal the damage done by a fractious negotiation.

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