Perry Knotts/Getty ImagesThe Cleveland Browns reportedly offered a veteran wide receiver and a haul of picks for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Per NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, the Browns were willing to give the Niners Amari Cooper along with second- and fifth-round draft picks in exchange for Aiyuk.
But the lofty haul wasn’t enough to get Aiyuk in a Browns uniform, as Cleveland was not one of his preferred trade destinations, according to Maiocco.
Cooper appeared to respond to the rumor on Instagram:
uSTADIUM @uSTADIUMAmari Cooper’s latest IG post. https://t.co/4DMWhgUEUs pic.twitter.com/nsouCRlGa7
Aiyuk requested a trade from the 49ers in July after offseason contract discussions yielded no result. Earlier this week, Maiocco reported that San Francisco had the framework for trades with both the Browns and the New England Patriots. Cleveland didn’t appeal to Aiyuk, while the Patriots ultimately opted out of trade talks with the 49ers. Aiyuk also turned down a trade to New England, citing quarterback concerns.
The third team seemingly in the mix for Aiyuk, the Pittsburgh Steelers, reportedly haven’t given the 49ers an offer they like, so they might be off the table.
The list of possible trade partners now appears slim for San Francisco, though a trade might not be needed after all.
On Friday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Aiyuk recently had a meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan and other members of the organization, and “some open and candid thoughts were expressed.” Schultz also reported that since that conversation, the two sides have restarted negotiations for a long-term deal.
How far those conversations will go is unclear, but it’s at least a step in the right direction for those interested in keeping Aiyuk around.
The fifth-year player is coming off a season in which he notched a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He was a pivotal part of the offense that took the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and they could be in a position to do it again if he returns this fall.
Source : Bleacher Report