The wideout is on a holdout! But for how long? Brandon Aiyuk wants a new contract or a new deal, causing the 49ers star to be the center of intense speculation throughout the offseason. Now, as the Niners gear up to face the Raiders in a Week 3 preseason clash, on 23rd August, Friday at 10 PM EDT, the Faithful asks one question: would B.A. suit up to give them something to cheer for? A strong no would be the reply to that. And it’s not a shocker at this point.

“I wish I was saying something different. But nothing’s changed yet.” Tuning on KNBR, on August 21st, head coach Kyle Shanahan hit fans with the same ol’ when asked about the Brandon Aiyuk trade discussions. In his words, he was sorry for being “boring”. While it suggests that he might have missed the practice again, it also means no minutes on the gridiron. But wait a minute, the situation goes beyond just the contract.

Last week, Kyle Shanahan threw a flag on the play, revealing that Aiyuk’s absence from practice was due to a sore back. “I think B.A. has a sore back right now, and it is what it is,” Shanahan said, clarifying the situation. So, was it a case of a player being cautious or just a strategic timeout? The WR missed the preseason opener against the Titans and sat out the game against the Saints—definitely not the kind of playbook you’d hope for from your star receiver.

Fast forward to now, and Shanahan’s comments on KNBR were as tight-lipped as a last-minute Hail Mary. “From what I hear, he’s still working through it [back issue],” he said. We know what you might be thinking. A back issue when he has not even practiced, and that too when he’s on a holdout. Does not add up, does it? Well, you’re not alone. NBC’s Michael David Smith decided to blitz with a jab, writing, “And the 49ers are still working through Aiyuk’s contract. His back will get better just as soon as his contract does.” Humor, if it comes with a pinch of truth, that’s how we like it!

When the foundation shakes, even the mightiest empires can crumble. The Niners Empire is no different. Now, it faces a critical test as things start to unravel. For the Faithful thinking about sporting the number 11, it might be best to wear it for style points rather than game-day hopes. Why? Hearsay is Brandon Aiyuk could be more likely to show up in Washington than on the field against the Raiders.

What’s next for Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers?

As the trade rumors swirl, it’s clear that the Commanders are playing a high-stakes game. They’ve just shipped out Jahan Dotson, creating a void. One that’s asking to be filled by none other than Brandon Aiyuk? Well, we are not speculating. It’s the latest on the Niners’ number 11.

Per San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver, “Everything is still on the table, including all the trades you’ve heard about…” He added that be it the Steelers or Washington, they are both in it. But who’s got the upper hand? With the Commanders stacking up cap space at over $37 million and seeking a splashy move, Aiyuk could be the perfect fit. Picture it: Aiyuk reuniting with his old college teammate Jayden Daniels and bringing the sauce to Washington. It sure does sound dreamy, but will it actually happen?

After weeks of radio silence on the Aiyuk front, it’s back like a merry-go-round. But the clock’s ticking for the Commanders to pull the trigger with the season opener on the horizon. Brandon Aiyuk’s hefty $14.1 million price tag is not an issue. The go-ahead is! Sure, the Steelers have been circling around like Hawks too, but as the draft capital and cap space shake up, Washington might just have the upper hand.

For now, it’s a waiting game. Will Brandon Aiyuk find a new home? Or will he remain a key player for San Francisco? The countdown to kickoff is on, and the Aiyuk trade saga is far from over. But one thing’s clear, amidst all this whirlwind of trade talks, don’t expect to see him blitzing on the gridiron at Levi’s Stadium this Friday.

Want to dive deeper into the NFL world, make sure to check out our conversation with one of the Gronks, as Chris Gronkowski shares his NFL journey and other things on the latest episode of the Dual Threat Show with BG12!