Brandon Aiyuk (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Just when you think the Brandon Aiyuk-San Francisco 49ers trade saga is about to conclude, another twist always seems to emerge….and today is no different.

On Tuesday afternoon, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers were close to a Brandon Aiyuk trade. Rapoport stated that the Steelers and Aiyuk were “in a good place on” a new deal, and that the 49ers just had to sign off on it.

But in an update on Tuesday evening, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that another significant hurdle has emerged in a Steelers trade for the star wide receiver.

According to Garafolo, Aiyuk prefers to remain with the 49ers and that the two sides have one last thing “that needs to be ironed out.” If that matter gets finalized, Aiyuk will drop his trade request and and sign an extension, Garafolo stated.

As Garafolo noted, the 49ers had a similar situation two years ago with fellow star wideout Deebo Samuel. The All-Pro asked for a trade after initial contract talks went nowhere, but the two sides later agreed to a three-year extension.

Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a career year in which he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He helped the 49ers to a Super Bowl 58 appearance, where they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime.

Over his first four seasons, Aiyuk has 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns.

49ers Are Better Off Paying Brandon Aiyuk

The 49ers would surely get at least one first-round pick in a Brandon Aiyuk trade. But at the end of the day, GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are better off paying Aiyuk and keeping him around long-term.

San Francisco is in win-now mode with Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner in their primes. So it only makes sense to keep their No. 1 receiver to help their push for a Super Bowl.