All signs are pointing toward a split between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

The 49ers have worked out trades with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. Executing those deals would require Aiyuk to sign an extension with them. Now the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team Aiyuk wants to play for, are in the mix.

Given the tumult surrounding Aiyuk's months-long contract saga, it wouldn't be a shock to see him moved. He's yet to participate in training camp after reporting to the team facility, and reports indicate the contract talks have hit a stalemate.

However, there are still a couple ways Aiyuk could stay with the 49ers this season.

First, he could sign a contract. Aiyuk could survey the market and realize his best combination of money and chances to win are in San Francisco. At that point he may be willing to acquiesce to their offer.

There's also a scenario where he stays without a new deal.

Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and would earn a fully-guaranteed $14.2 million. He could just play out the contract and try this again next offseason. Another big year may up his value. It may also convince the 49ers he's worth the kind of contract he's seeking. Playing on his fifth-year option would essentially be Aiyuk betting on himself.

This seems like the most unlikely outcome, though.

While there's a potential reward at the end of that path greater than the one he's looking for this year, there's potential peril as well.

If Aiyuk gets hurt during his fifth year, it would dramatically diminish his earning power next offseason. That's why the long-term security of a deal this offseason is so necessary for the receiver.

This is undoubtedly a tricky situation and a trade may be the ultimate result. While those deals dominate the news cycle in the early days of August, there are more outcomes still on the table, and Aiyuk could still suit up for the 49ers in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2 ways WR Brandon Aiyuk stays with the 49ers