Brandon Aiyuk’s trade to the Steelers is reportedly pending a decision by the 49ers, who must have a conflict of interest.

The San Francisco 49ers must hope the drama surrounding Brandon Aiyuk leads them to retain their leading receiver.

Otherwise, an agreement would have already been reached.

The Aiyuk drama has been going on for a long time, and a report on Tuesday said there are two possible outcomes: Aiyuk is traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers or he returns to the 49ers. But as we’ve seen with this story, things can change.

The 49ers and Steelers have agreed to terms on a trade and the Steelers are “in a good position with an Aiyuk contract,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. The report states that the deal will be completed once the 49ers approve it. The other part of the report states that the 49ers offered Aiyuk a long-term contract, which he obviously did not accept.

By the way this report is worded, Aiyuk would already be a Steeler if the 49ers were willing to let him go.

49ers have offer to Brandon Aiyuk

That truth has remained the same throughout the process with Aiyuk, which began a few days after the Super Bowl when his girlfriend suggested Aiyuk might have played his final game with the 49ers: San Francisco is closer to a Super Bowl title with Aiyuk than without him.

In other situations, teams would be more willing to trade a player who is unhappy with his contract and wants out. But the 49ers are one of the few teams that can legitimately feel like they are Super Bowl favorites heading into the season. Trading away their top receiver from last year is a step backward.

When Aiyuk seemingly showed no interest in joining the New England Patriots despite being offered a contract worth $30 million a year or more, the 49ers must have noticed. If it were all about money, Aiyuk wouldn’t have ruled out joining New England. If the situation matters, no one offers a better deal than the 49ers. And they offered him a new contract.

Maybe there was a way to salvage the 49ers’ relationship with Aiyuk, and the 49ers might not be in a big rush.

Where will Aiyuk play?

If the 49ers don’t trade Aiyuk and can’t reach an agreement on a long-term extension with him, Aiyuk won’t have much leverage unless he’s willing to give up his $14.1 million salary for this season. While he’s underpaid compared to every other receiver at his level, he’ll likely have to play for San Francisco this season if the 49ers decide not to.

The Steelers are hoping the 49ers will cave. Pittsburgh is short on receivers. Adding Aiyuk, who rushed for 1,342 yards last season, would solve that problem. He’s only 26, so he’s also a long-term option.

It seems like everything is now on the 49ers. Their chances of winning a Super Bowl this season will change depending on the outcome.