49ers' McCaffrey Calls Brandon Aiyuk a 'Former Teammate' on Video, Corrects Himself

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey made a verbal slip during a Tuesday interview on NFL Network.

"That's not part of my job," he said when discussing whether he worries about the Brandon Aiyuk rumors (4:50 mark). "It's not part of my position. Obviously, as a former teammate, or teammate of his in general, any teammate you have, you love and respect them. You want the best for them. As far as the business side of this game goes, it's always difficult. So, I stay out of it completely."

While he quickly corrected himself, it was notable that McCaffrey said "former teammate" when talking about the wide receiver given the uncertainty about whether Aiyuk will suit up for the 49ers this season.

It needs to be noted that McCaffrey made the comment during a longer interview and didn't hesitate to correct himself immediately.

Just because there was a verbal slip doesn't mean that Aiyuk has already been traded and McCaffrey and the 49ers know before the public does. Rather, it could have very well been an innocent and harmless comment with no larger overall meaning.

Still, Aiyuk's future with the 49ers continues to be a dominant storyline during training camp.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported "several teams" are interested in the wide receiver and listed the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots as clubs San Francisco is talking with when it comes to a potential trade.

ESPN's Adam Schefter added that Pittsburgh "re-engaged" in conversations with the 49ers, while Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported Monday that San Francisco "negotiated the framework of trades" with both Cleveland and New England.

Aiyuk's contract status makes any trade somewhat difficult, as he is entering the final year of his deal and could hit free agency next offseason. While San Francisco could, in theory, keep him and franchise tag him next offseason, the wide receiver isn't participating in training camp during a hold-in and could react in a similar fashion again next year.

And any team trading for him would likely want to get a commitment on a longer deal so he is more than just a rental.

"That is why he's had so much power, so much say in this situation, because he's not going anywhere unless he gets a contract that he wants, that sets him up financially," Rapoport said. "... That's why this situation really hasn't moved."

From the 49ers' perspective, they are Super Bowl contenders with an offense featuring McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Aiyuk. Even if they don't want to trade him, losing the production of Aiyuk after he posted 1,342 receiving yards last season if he chose not to play would be quite the blow.

So trading him and receiving another impact wide receiver as part of the return package may be an acceptable outcome. Along those lines, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com noted the Browns might give up Amari Cooper in a potential deal.

For now, though, McCaffrey and Aiyuk are still teammates regardless of any verbal miscues.