CLEVELAND — Could the Browns be on the verge of adding another high-end weapon to their offensive attack?
According to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, Cleveland has worked out the "framework" for a deal with San Francisco that would see them acquire All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the 49ers. Sources have told Maiocco that both the Browns and the New England Patriots have offered trade packages that the 49ers would accept, and now it's up to Aiyuk to decide which team he would rather go to.
Aiyuk, a first-round draft pick in 2020, set a career-high with 1,342 yards and 17.9 yards per reception last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors as San Francisco won the NFC championship. However, multiple outlets have reported the 26-year-old requested a trade from the organization last month after the two sides could not come to an agreement on a contract extension.
Per Maiocco, the 49ers gave Aiyuk permission to negotiate possible contracts with the Browns, Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders. Washington ended its pursuit while Pittsburgh could not meet San Francisco's asking price, meaning either Cleveland or New England will likely land Aiyuk if either team can offer him an extension he would find adequate.
Exact details regarding the "framework" of a trade between the Browns and 49ers are not yet known. However, Mary Kay Cabot of 3News media partner Cleveland.com says any transaction will "undoubtedly" involve Amari Cooper, Cleveland's No. 1 receiver who made the Pro Bowl in 2023.
"The Browns, of course, wouldn't want to part with Cooper, whom they just restructured, but might have to to close the deal," Cabot wrote Monday, referring to the raise the club just gave the 30-year-old that ended a contract standoff. To complete the trade, Cleveland would almost certainly have to surrender draft capital, as well.
Should the deal go through, Aiyuk would immediately become the Browns' top wideout, with Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore joining him in the receiving core along with Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku. By contrast, while Cooper has been immensely successful in his two years with the team, he is also four years older and is due to become a free agent after the 2024 campaign.
Any extension talks between the Browns and Aiyuk, though, could be complicated by the organization's current salary cap conundrum. Spotrac currently places Cleveland more than $84 million over the cap limit in 2025, largely due to quarterback Deshaun Watson's massive salary.