We live in a world where almost anything can become a rumor in a matter of seconds. One question. One tip. One eyeball emoji. All of a sudden, what could have started as nothing seemingly becomes something.

We rarely want to address these types of rumors but Friday afternoon one related to the Cleveland Browns stirred up on Twitter/X that the Browns were trading for WR Brandon Aiyuk. Rumors is in quotes in the headline for a reason.

Why am I addressing it here?

While I would not consider myself a news breaker with a ton of sources, covering Cleveland for over a decade and a similar amount of years at the NFL Combine has connected me to people around the Browns and the league. Earlier this summer I was told that Cleveland would have some interest in acquiring a top-flight receiver like Tee Higgins or Aiyuk “if the price was right.”

Fast forward to a few days ago when a couple of direct messages noted that the San Francisco 49ers have had at least exploratory conversations with Cleveland about a deal. As I had shared previously, a deal between the two teams actually makes some sense:

Given that both teams want to compete, Cooper for Aiyuk actually makes sense. Unlikely, sure but name another top-level WR San Fran could get right now tor Aiyuk? Or a top-level player of any important position?

— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) July 16, 2024

Former Ohio State Buckeye Tyvis Powell said similar the day after my post:

On a potential trade package for #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk & #Browns WR Amari Cooper, @1Tyvis says both sides would say YES!#DawgPound | https://t.co/PboJgIWVjW pic.twitter.com/abc7F1XEf0

— Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show (@ultCLEsports) July 17, 2024

Then came rumors that Aiyuk and the Niners had agreed or were about to agree to a new deal. Then “Pretty Rickey,” who we have covered previously, weighed in that it wasn’t happening and Aiyuk was not at San Francisco’s practice Friday afternoon:

No sign of Brandon Aiyuk at today’s practice.

— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 2, 2024

As rumors spread throughout social media, with my direct messages blowing up, “Chopz,” who is very close with QB Deshaun Watson and has been at every Browns training camp practice, weighed in:

pic.twitter.com/uywYce07Rr

— Training Camp Chopz (@Pchopz_) August 2, 2024

For the older generation like me, “cap” means “lie.” Basically, the rumors aren’t true.

While there has been no solid reporting on a possible deal, it makes sense for the two teams to be connected. Cooper is only signed through this season and Aiyuk is much younger. The Niners have paid some of their top weapons and may be more interested in a shorter-term, lower-priced deal with Cooper than with Aiyuk.

If a deal were to take place, the Browns would need to trade away money off of their salary cap somehow with Cooper making sense but San Fran might be interested in offensive line help like Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin (unlikely due to injury), Jedrick Wills or Dawand Jones.

For now, there seems nothing to the rumor but given GM Andrew Berry’s aggressiveness and what the 49ers would need in return, Cleveland does line up well for a deal even if it is unlikely.

For now. No rumors just “rumors” which is why it is in quotes in the headline.