49ers and WR Brandon Aiyuk Reportedly Not Close on a New Contract
On Sports Center Sunday morning, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the 49ers and Aiyuk are not close in contract negotiations, leading many to wonder if Aiyuk will hold out (not show up) or hold in (show up but not participate) for the remainder of the offseason and even training camp.
“This one’s tricky because he was implicated in some trade talks around the draft,” Fowler said. “He wants a new contract; he has one year left. I’m told the 49ers are certainly open to doing a deal, but talks have not progressed enough where things are close. And so, is he going to show up for their workouts? It’s hard to tell right now. The market is pretty set for him. Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit did that deal recently, for about $28 million a year. So, that’s something for Aiyuk and the 49ers to work off of, but I’m told they’re not quite there yet.”
Hearing the lack of progress on a new deal should come as no surprise. The 49ers typically do this in contract negotiations. They normally wait until training camp, or right before it, to come to agreements with star players. It happened with tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and edge rusher Nick Bosa. It’s not that they set out to wait until training camp, it’s just that the deadline of the looming regular season seems to spur an agreement.
Bosa didn’t reach his deal with the team until a matter of days before the week-long trip to Pittsburgh last season. Could Aiyuk’s deal take that long? Samuel and Bosa have both said their contract issues affected their play that season. So the 49ers and Aiyuk need to reach an agreement sooner rather than later.
The Importance of Reaching an Agreement
It’s also important for the two sides to agree soon to dispel any rumors of Aiyuk being traded. There were rumblings leading up to the draft that the 49ers could trade Aiyuk or Samuel. And when the 49ers drafted two wide receivers in April, it only fueled those rumors. But GM John Lynch, and head coach Kyle Shanahan, have repeatedly said there are no plans to trade Aiyuk or Samuel. And while it seems unlikely that Aiyuk will be moved at this point, it would ease the minds of 49ers fans everywhere to have number 11 ready to roll before training camp.
Aiyuk’s presence on the field is crucial for the 49ers’ offensive scheme. Known for his route-running ability and big-play potential, Aiyuk has become a key target for the 49ers’ quarterbacks. His chemistry with the team’s offense and his ability to stretch the field make him an indispensable asset as they aim for another deep playoff run.
Upcoming OTAs and the Path Forward
The 49ers begin OTAs (organized team activities) on Monday. While it’s uncertain whether or not Aiyuk will show up, he is not expected to work with the team until he has a new contract. This uncertainty puts additional pressure on the front office to expedite negotiations and secure Aiyuk’s future with the team.
For the 49ers, the goal is clear: to resolve Aiyuk’s contract situation as soon as possible to ensure he is fully integrated and prepared for the upcoming season. Any delay not only impacts Aiyuk’s preparation but also the team’s overall cohesion and performance.
In conclusion, while the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk are currently at an impasse in their contract negotiations, history suggests that an agreement will eventually be reached, likely closer to the start of training camp. However, the sooner both parties can come to terms, the better it will be for Aiyuk, the 49ers, and their fans, who eagerly await the upcoming season. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on to secure one of the team’s most dynamic playmakers.