"He's a Steeler" - Brandon Aiyuk's trade request turns heads as fans speculate on 49ers WR's next stop

After being brought up in trade rumors all throughout the off-season, 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk made it official today by requesting a trade out of San Francisco.

NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo broke the news on X this afternoon after the team and Aiyuk remained at a standstill regarding a contract extension.

Aiyuk is coming off a season where he set career highs in receiving yards (1,342) and yards per catch (17.9) while hauling in seven touchdown receptions. He will be playing on the fifth and final year of his rookie contract this season.

Upon hearing the news, fans had mixed responses to it. A lot of replies have him linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders. Here's how fans reacted to the news:

"Oh nice so that means he’s a patriot right?" one fan questioned.

" YOU ARE A BALTIMORE RAVEN BRANDON!!!!" one fan said.

"Send him to Pittsburgh, New York or Washington. As an Eagles fan. I say the AFC haha," joked one fan.

While it isn't the best news for 49ers fans to see Aiyuk officially requesting a trade, it doesn't necessarily mean he will be traded. Deebo Samuel went through a similar situation a few years ago before both sides met in the middle and agreed to a new deal.

Some 49ers fans think that Aiyuk requested a trade just for leverage at this point and that both sides will get a deal done.

Here's how other fans reacted:

"You can't trade Brandon Aiyuk in July. Unless you're getting a solid talent in return (Terry McLaurin in addition to picks). This team is on its last legs of a Super Bowl window. Aiyuk has no leverage right now. Disappointing what's been going on through this negotiation," one fan said.

"Still not blinking as a 49ers fan. Brandon Aiyuk will be a Niner for the 2024 season," another fan opined.

"It's just part of the negotiations deebo did the same thing. It will all work out at the end," one fan said.

How much will Brandon Aiyuk be paid in his next contract?

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is looking to become the next $30 million per year wide receiver. After Justin Jefferson, AJ Brown, and Amon-Ra St. Brown's contract extensions this off-season, there are four wide receivers in the NFL making $30 million or more per season.

As the wide receiver market continues to be one of the hottest in the off-season and continues to grow, the price tag of extension-ready receivers is continuing to go up.

Aiyuk has had back-to-back 1000+ receiving yard seasons and has had at least 75 receptions and seven receiving touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. He's due for a big contract extension and id looking to be paid at least $30 million per season.

Do you think Brandon Aiyuk will be traded or do you think he will stay put in San Fran?