For quite some time now, the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have been in dispute over the latter’s contract. Now, the franchise have made their feelings clear on the wide receiver and his future with the team.
Aiyuk has quickly established himself as a vital piece of the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive plans since being drafted in the first round in 2020. The 49ers acquired the 25th overall pick in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to select Aiyuk, and he made an immediate impact as a rookie, recording 101 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown in just his third game.
Prior to the 2023 season, the 49ers exercised his fifth-year option, cementing his future with the organization. He showcased his big-play ability in the NFC Championship game, scoring a touchdown and making a crucial 51-yard catch to help the 49ers reach the Super Bowl. Though they ultimately fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, the wide receiver’s standout campaign solidified his standing as a dynamic playmaker.
However, Aiyuk’s future in San Francisco has been the subject of offseason scrutiny, with trade rumors and apparent tensions with the team’s front office. His absence from mandatory minicamp and the offseason program has only added to the speculation surrounding his long-term outlook with the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers Admit They Want To Keep Brandon Aiyuk
Just recently, Aiyuk posted a video on TikTok about his conversation with Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and his perception that the 49ers don’t want him back. In an article posted on Bleacher Report, Scott Polacek detailed what San Francisco thought of him and his future with the team.
“It led to speculation he was referring to the 49ers and his ongoing contract discussions, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the team does want him to stay.
“Having spoken to the Niners multiple times, multiple Niners people throughout the course of the offseason, every single one of them said they wanted Brandon Aiyuk back,” Schefter reported Tuesday.
“… They absolutely do want him there. They just don’t want him there at the price that he’s looking for right now.”
Aiyuk has one more year remaining on his contract, so there is a level of urgency with the timeline,” Polacek wrote.
The 49ers’ desire to retain Aiyuk is unsurprising given his breakout 2023 season. However, contract negotiations have been complicated by the recent receiver market reset, with top wideouts securing deals averaging over $30 million per year.
It remains to be seen whether Aiyuk will be traded to another team or stay in San Francisco for the long term. In any case, there’ll be a lot of people waiting to see the resolution of this matter and how it’ll play out for both parties.
