NFL insider makes surprising admission about 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

It seems only a matter of time before the San Francisco 49ers part ways with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Multiple reports indicate that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the front-runners in acquiring the All-Pro wideout. The two teams are still deep in negotiations regarding trade compensation.

But could Aiyuk have a last-second change of heart? Well, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter during a Wednesday appearance on 97.1 The Fan’s “Rothman & Ice,” there’s a small chance Aiyuk wants to remain with the 49ers.

“I think there’s a part of him that would still like to stay in San Francisco,” Schefter said . “The problem is, there’s been so much that has transpired, that that’s become more and more difficult. Like, this is a deal that could have and should have been done. At one point, it looked like the two sides were getting a deal done in the offseason and it didn’t get done, and here we are where all this other ‘scar tissue,’ if you will, has built up and complicated the situation and turned it into a real-life soap opera.”

Schefter also revealed on Wednesday that Steelers receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth were non-starters in any potential deal for Aiyuk.

Aiyuk and the 49ers have been arguably the most dramatic spectacle of the NFL offseason.

The two sides have exchanged messages through local reporters and social media, seemingly affecting head coach Kyle Shanahan. Neither side seems willing to compromise to resolve the situation.

Spotrac projects Aiyuk’s market value around $27.5 million per season — a slight increase over the $26M-per-year salary San Francisco reportedly offered him weeks ago.

It seems the likeliest outcome is that Aiyuk is traded to a team willing to meet his salary demands, but it shouldn’t be completely ruled out that he comes to his senses and re-signs with San Francisco, where he’ll likely remain in the Super Bowl hunt for the next few years.