San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has proven to be one of the best route runners in the NFL over the last two years. Now seeking to become one of the highest-paid NFL players, contract talks between the club and player reportedly aren’t going well.
Aiyuk immediately popped up in NFL trade rumors after the Super Bowl. While San Francisco has navigated its salary-cap issues for the 2024 season, there are bigger problems ahead. Aiyuk’s contract expires after this coming year and the 49ers have several key players they’ll need to re-sign in 2025.
- Brandon Aiyuk contract: $14.124 million salary in 2024, 2025 free agent
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There have even been NFL rumors indicating what the 49ers want in exchange for an Aiyuk trade. However, general manager John Lynch has said that a deal is being worked on and the star wideout isn’t being moved. Despite his public optimism, though, things don’t appear to be going well behind the scenes.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Saturday that the two sides aren’t close and while there has been some dialogue this offseason Aiyuk and the 49ers are at a bit of a “standoff” at this time.
“We’re not close, and they have made a recent run at it from my understanding. It’s not like they haven’t had any discussions. … Basically, it’s a little bit of a standoff right now.”
Mike Garafolo on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk
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During a recent appearance on the “Nightcap” hosted by Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe, Aiyuk was transparent about what he’s looking for and what negotiations have been like from his side.
“I’m trying to get what I deserve. I feel like this season, this season playing football, I figured out who I was as a person and a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. And just the value I hold when I walk in that building. People going to follow me because I’ve done it the right way since I’ve been in that building. From the first day I walked in there to when I was in there earlier this morning. I’ve done it the right way. If they don’t see the worth in that [makes a walking motion with hands], that’s all it is.”
Brandon Aiyuk to Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson on contract talks with San Francisco 49ers (H/T NFL.com)
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San Francisco isn’t without leverage in this situation. If Aiyuk were to skip training camp, he would be fined $40,000 per day for every practice missed. Furthermore, the 49ers’ front office can deduct his game checks if he sits out in the regular season.
- Brandon Aiyuk stats: 75 receptions, 1,342 receiving yards, 17.9 yards per reception, 7 touchdowns
It remains unlikely that Aiyuk would skip the regular season, a move that could prove far more costly to him than playing out the final year of his contract. However, it’s also evident the two sides are far apart in negotiations and the 49ers’ limited financial flexibility long-term makes the situation more complicated. It remains possible that Aiyuk could be traded during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, although, any team acquiring him would likely want him signed to a long-term deal before it gives up premium draft capital.
