Despite all the noise surrounding Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers, HC Kyle Shanahan is optimistic that things will turn out better for both parties. Unfortunately, the 49ers lost the preseason game against the Tennessee Titans and Brandon Aiyuk was nowhere to be found.

However, that didn’t stop the media from asking questions. They enquired Shanahan about the recent development in Aiyuk’s case, and he maintained a fairly optimistic stance on it. In fact, he admitted wanting to keep anything personal aside and wishing to focus on the coming season.

“I met with Brandon a bunch here since we started out camp and I’m not going to get any personal things between us,” Shanahan said in the post-game presser. He was asked whether there was still a provision for a contract to be done and per the HC, “everything is open.”

“I talked to you guys last week, I mean, I’m hopeful and I do think it can. But like I said last week, everything’s open and uh, but hopefully it does,” added the Niners HC. However, Aiyuk has been shutting down rumors left and right and wants the media to have their pick. “Everything” being “open” has caused a lot of speculation in the media. Especially after Brandon Aiyuk turned down a $32 million-a-year contract from the New England Patriots.

Reportedly, the trade negotiations between the disgruntled receiver and the Bay Area team opened up again. Brad Graham of the SF Niners gave an update on Instagram and Brandon Aiyuk clapped back on the speculations. The 49ers Webzone took to X and re-shared it, captioning, “Brandon Aiyuk on reports of the #49ers restarting contract negotiations.”

It seems like the 49ers WR is tired of the speculation and finally broke the silence after a long time. “Brad, Niners be in the media every day lol, it’s two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports, simple,” said Brandon Aiyuk to Brad Graham. So, what are the two options?

Well, he can pick up the 5 year option for $14.1 million or negotiate with other teams to find him a new home (an obvious choice). Speaking of other teams, it’s clear now that the Steelers are way ahead of everyone in terms of striking a chord with the Bay Area team. However, the Niners wanted 2 draft picks and a receiver of the same caliber in return. Giving away picks in return is fine, but the team cannot get rid of their only decent receiver, George Pickens.

Earlier in June, the 49ers reportedly offered a $26 million a year to the receiver, but he declined. Both parties have been at a stalemate since the last couple of months and Aiyuk’s personal WR coach and ex-NFL receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh couldn’t be more irked about it.

TJ Housh working in Brandon Aiyuk’s favor

TJ Housh took to Mark Willard and Dan Dibley on 95.7 The Game on Thursday and gave the Niners a piece of his mind. Per him, Aiyuk “just wants to play football” and that Kyle Shanahan should “fix the situation.” It’s clear that the WR is not just in it for the money, where he lands his next contract matters too. He might have declined the Pats’ offer because the Boston team is still in its nascent rebuilding phase.

However, the 49ers are trying to save a couple of millions and that might cause them to lose the Lombardi. “You want average per year to be 28 if you’re with the Niners. The Niners want it to be 26. The total guarantee, give or take, some teams are going to offer more than others. You guys know more than I do. He turned down New England. What do you think that guarantee was going to be? What do you think it’s going to be? It was gonna be … more than what the Niners were offering,” said TJ Housh on 95.7 The Game.

Apparently, the Cleveland Browns are also in the negotiation game and Brandon Aiyuk has permission to speak to them. However, they have the same problem as the Steelers. Although they have agreed on a trade framework, they cannot trade Amari Cooper to the 49ers because they will be back to square one again. What are your thoughts on Brandon Aiyuk’s fluid contract situation?