New York Mets subject of brutal put down with Pittsburgh Steelers being ‘used’ by 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk over contract

The Brandon Aiyuk saga continues to rumble on.

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver is seeking a lucrative long-term contract extension after watching several of his peers — now including CeeDee Lamb — get paid with a capital ‘P’.

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Aiyuk, who has been a non-participant in training camp, is set to earn $14.124 million in 2024 under a team-exercised fifth-year option and has been heavily linked with a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Talks with the Steelers have quietened in recent days with the 49ers refusing to budge in negotiations and Aiyuk seemingly intent on digging in.

The Steelers have been left in limbo and, according to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, are getting ‘used’ — just like the New York Mets — by the Niners and Aiyuk in order to strike up a new deal.

“The most likely outcome is Bradon Aiyuk is a 49er,” co-host Michael Florio said.

“The Steelers I think were just used. Aiyuk was like ‘trade me’, and the Niners were like, ‘alright’.

“I think they were just calling each other’s bluff the whole time and using the Steelers kinda’ how the Mets always get used in baseball.”

The long-held belief in MLB circles is that players’ use the Mets’ reported interest in them as leverage to get what they want from other organizations.

That may even be happening now, with New York Yankees star Juan Soto, who was acquired by the Yankees via trade last offseason and will be a free agent after the 2024 season, linked with the team across the borough.

Aiyuk, 26, had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns for the Niners last season.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Steelers’ contract offer to Aiyuk is less than $28 million per year, which is in the same ballpark as what San Fran is offering – which forced Aiyuk to go back to the table with the 49ers.

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San Francisco basically can’t afford to keep up with the inflation of the wide receiver market and continue to pay the likes of Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey top market rates.

The most likely outcome is that Aiyuk plays on his fifth-year option in 2024 and the 49ers use the franchise tag on him in 2025 and 2026 to give them significant leverage in negotiations.

The Niners have other urgent contract matters to deal with too.

Superstar left tackle Trent Williams remains away from the team while he awaits a new deal. On Tuesday it was reported that he will not return to the 49ers until his contract situation is resolved.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that sources said Williams “wants to be ‘paid-paid’ like the very important piece he is.”

The three-time first-team All-Pro is seeking a contract adjustment from the $20.1 million he’s set to make this year, as his $22.5 million and $32.2 million salaries for 2025 and 2026, respectively, are not guaranteed. 

He’s currently No.6 on the NFL’s list of highest-paid offensive linemen and likely wants to be No.1.

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan now faces the somewhat concerning proposition of both Aiyuk and Williams missing his team’s season opener against the New York Jets on September 9.