The ongoing saga involving where Brandon Aiyuk will play next season has been one of the hottest topics of training camp, and just about every media personality has given their two cents. But one Fox Sports broadcaster made a stark comparison that can’t be ignored.
In one of the latest episodes of “The Herd,” host Colin Cowherd had an honest take on Aiyuk’s options on going to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers or staying with the San Francisco 49ers.
“You’re going to get open more often and win more games in San Francisco, [but] you’re going to get more money in Pittsburgh” Cowherd said. “Either choice is fine. I mean, do you want to be playing in games in January and February or watching on TV?”
Cowherd goes on to mention that a move to Pittsburgh — which has been a rumor for some time now — wouldn’t necessarily give Aiyuk more playing time since the Steelers receiving workload goes through George Pickens. However, he adds that getting that playing time might not be the issue.
“For a lot of guys, and I get this, not everybody loves football,” he said. “They like what football gives you. And it can give you a lot of money and fame and I’m not judging. Do whatever you want.”
Aiyuk, who is set to become a free agent in 2025, has been a holdout from 49ers training camp in hopes of signing a contract extension. The 26-year-old requested a trade earlier in the offseason if a deal didn’t get done.
The fifth-year wideout caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and had seven touchdowns last season. He averaged 17.9 yards per game with San Francisco, which had the fourth-best passing offense in the NFL in 2023.
