John Lynch hit a home run by drafting Brandon Aiyuk with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s since become one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, earning second-team All-Pro honors last season after racking up 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
But now Aiyuk’s headed into the final year of his rookie contract. Rumors leading up to the draft suggested the 49ers might trade their excellent route-runner, but after reportedly seeking an ‘AJ Brown-like trade return‘ and finding no takers, the San Francisco opted to keep Aiyuk.
Now the only objective is getting their star receiver signed to a contract extension. But as we’ve seen, getting a deal done may not be easy.
Brandon Aiyuk’s contract could compare to DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown
Recently, we’ve seen similarly high-profile receivers sign massive extensions, such as DeVonta Smith getting a three-year, $75 million deal. But Smith has never earned All-Pro honors, meaning Aiyuk may be able to aim higher.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Aiyuk could be targeting a contract extension in the range of Smith and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s salary range — between $25M and $28 million.
“You have DeVonta Smith with the Philadelphia Eagles — about $25M a year. You got Amon-Ra St. Brown, a little more than that, say about $28 million over the first three years. You figure that Brandon Aiyuk will be somewhere in there.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Brandon Aiyuk contract update
From @NFLTotalAccess: The #49ers’ focus remains on keeping star WR Brandon Aiyuk — as it was during the NFL Draft. It’s about getting a well-earned extension done, at this point. pic.twitter.com/hehKGqbE2Z
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2024
St. Brown is a two-time Pro Bowler and has also earned first-team All-Pro honors, besting Aiyuk’s accolades. Ultimately, we could see Aiyuk’s annual average value fall somewhere in between Smith and St. Brown’s salaries, where he’d be one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
Aiyuk is set to make $14.1 million in 2024, but as Schefter noted, the 49ers receiver is set to make much more in 2025.
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