Earlier Tuesday came news that the Steelers and 49ers have a deal in place for a Brandon Aiyuk trade. So, why hasn’t it happened yet?

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports the 49ers haven’t pulled the trigger on a trade because they aren’t that far apart on a deal to keep Aiyuk in San Francisco long term.

Garafolo was quoted in the story as saying Aiyuk would prefer to stay with the Niners, and the Niners would prefer to keep him. Garafolo added the 49ers number has got better than what it was previously during the talks.

The standoff between receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers may be coming to a conclusion soon.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the 49ers and Steelers have a deal for a potential Aiyuk trade in place. The Steelers also are “in a good place” with Aiyuk on a new contract. If the 49ers give their final sign-off, the deal will be done.

Related players: Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III

The story went on to say San Francisco also has an offer out to Aiyuk on a long-term deal for him to remain with the club that, but to this point, Aiyuk has not accepted. The story added it’s currently unclear what Pittsburgh would send back to San Francisco in exchange for Aiyuk, but it would likely be a significant package. If the deal goes through, the Niners would be looking at Pearsall, Jenning and Cowing to move up the depth chart, while in Pittsburgh, Aiyuk and Pickens form the 1-2 punch.

Trade talks have reportedly slowed as receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues his hold-in with the 49ers.

With it again looking more like Aiyuk will be with San Francisco for 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked in his Monday press conference if Aiyuk was taking part in anything on the field — like running routes with the team’s quarterbacks against air.

“Not with us. I trust Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play,” Shanahan said, via transcript from the team.

Aiyuk is seeking a new contract that will pay him a salary that’s more in line with the current market rate for top receivers. He’s currently slated to make $14.124 million in guaranteed base salary on his fifth-year option in 2024, the story went on to say. Rumors have linked him to the Patriots, Steelers and Browns over the last week, with other rumors saying deals were in place. However more recently, talks with Aiyuk and the Niners have reportedly progressed, and it could mean a return to San Francisco. We rank Aiyuk 16th among WRs, so he's a very solid WR2 option on your fantasy roster no matter where he ends up.

First day of pads has some good news for the 49ers: Ricky Pearsall is in pads and practicing today.

Related players: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing

It's good news Pearsall is back in the lineup for the 49ers. Aiyuk has been a hold-in so far at camp, so this is a chance for Pearsall to get some valuable work. The Aiyuk situation could be an interesting one as some say he could still be moved if the team can't get a deal done with him. If that happens, Pearsall's value could soar as a result. And that would also open the door a bit for Jennings and another rookie, Cowing. Assuming Aiyuk does return, Pearsall could be looking at a WR3 role.

While he’s still seeking a new contract and has requested a trade, receiver Brandon Aiyuk will not hold out.

Per a report from NFL Media, Aiyuk is reporting to training camp.

Related players: Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing

Aiyuk, 26, is slated to make just $14.124 million in 2024 on his fifth-year option. The No. 25 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Aiyuk has demonstrated throughout the offseason that he would like to receive a new contract from San Francisco or be traded to another team willing to give him a new, lucrative deal. But to this point, the 49ers have not expressed a willingness to sign Aiyuk to the deal he desires or move him to another team, the story went on to say. The 49ers drafted Pearsall and Cowing this past spring, but Pearsall is starting camp on the NFI list, according to reports.

We all know the elephant in the room with Brandon Aiyuk. The Steelers need a top-level wide receiver to pair with George Pickens and have been linked to Aiyuk for months now. Whether it’s conjecture or something to it, we will never know unless general manager Omar Khan pulls off a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. It doesn’t look like a sure bet. But with Khan, there’s always a chance.

A trade for Aiyuk would obviously lower Pickens' value, but probably the former's as well. No one is confusing Arthur Smith for Kyle Shanahan.

This hypothetical would do wonders for Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle.

Ricky Pearsall has been easy to pick out in San Francisco 49ers practices.

For one, he’s been the team’s most prominent receiver on the field for most of the spring. Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show on Day 1 of the mandatory minicamp on Tuesday as he continues to hold out for a multiyear contract extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing

Barrows went on, “It’s been fun to watch both of them,” Shanahan said of the Purdy-Pearsall connection. “Brock doesn’t always get to watch how the route gets there. But he knows when guys end up in the right spot. That’s when quarterbacks get comfortable, and I think he can make that throw with Ricky right away. He’s been getting to the right spot. And when he has made a mistake, he understands it and corrects it. I think that so far those guys have had a lot of fun working together.”

Pearsall will be very interesting in fantasy should Aiyuk or Samuel miss any time. As it stands, he only profiles as a late-round dart throw

Restricted free-agent WR Jauan Jennings is signing a two-year deal with the 49ers worth up to $15.4 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed.

Jennings did not sign his free-agent tender and instead did this deal, which is akin to a one-year extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Ronnie Bell, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing

The 49ers are doing all they can to insulate Brock Purdy with weapons, and that should continue to be the case, assuming they don't move on from Samuel or Aiyuk before next season. Jennings doesn't have any standalone fantasy value as it stands, but boosts the offense as a rotational WR3/4.

For a second straight day, 49ers’ WR Deebo Samuel was a full participant at practice and is on track to play Sunday at Jacksonville.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, Ray-Ray McCloud, George Kittle

Looks like the bye week did Samuel some good, and if he's a full participant already, we should expect his normal workload upon his return. He has 397 yards and two all-purpose touchdowns through six games this season, and should be boosted back into WR2 consideration this week.

For the Sunday night game, Cowboys standout defender Micah Parson (knee) and 49ers standout offensive weapon Deebo Samuel (knee) will both be at less than 100%.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Ronnie Bell

As Ian mentions in the video, Samuel did play in Week 4, although it was in an extremely limited role as they sprinkled in a couple of carries. Rapoport expects more for Week 5 but cautions that the team will be careful with his knee injury.