The 49ers have attempted to reach a multi-year contract extension with Brandon Aiyuk since the end of the 2023 NFL season, but the sides have failed to reach an agreement thus far.
Then, on Monday, a report surfaced that Aiyuk was planning to visit the team’s Santa Clara facility for a meeting, which in itself is an unusual occurrence since the entire team and staff are on vacation. summer. It does, however, indicate that the sides remain in communication, even though the 2020 first-round pick’s future could still play out a few different ways.
While a trade is still possible, here are three ways Aiyuk could stay with the 49ers this season and potentially beyond.
An an agreement is reached
Historically, the 49ers prefer to keep their talented players in the building with expensive multi-year extensions. The proof is on the roster, with long-term deals signed by George Kittle, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa in recent years.
The 49ers undoubtedly made Aiyuk reasonable offers that reflect his performance over his four seasons in the NFL. If the parties are close on a guaranteed amount, they could reach a compromise to satisfy everyone involved.
The 49ers have already restructured several players’ contracts to manipulate the total amount of salaries paid, and they remain under the NFL salary cap. They also have one more season with a bit of wiggle room as quarterback Brock Purdy is in his third and final year of his rookie contract, with a lucrative extension expected to follow.
With compromise from both sides, an attractive extension could be achieved.
Aiyuk holds onthen reports for week 1
Just like Aiyuk refused to report to mandatory minicamp a few weeks ago, he might not report to the facility during training camp next month. With Aiyuk still on his first NFL contract/fifth-year option, the 49ers have the option to waive fines imposed on a player absent from camp, as they did with Bosa before the 2023 season. Organizations cannot waive fines for absence during minicamp.
Like Bosa during his own holdout, Aiyuk is still under contract and could decide to skip training camp in its entirety and wait to report until just before week one. But if the sides still can’t agree on a long-term extension by the time the 2024 NFL season begins, there’s no chance Aiyuk will remain out. Reporting after the start of the season would be costly, with Aiyuk’s salary dropping from just over $2.3 million in 2023 to $14.1 million guaranteed in 2024.
With no extension in place, Aiyuk would have the 2024 season to show the world his worth and prepare for a mega contract before his sixth season.
THE The 49ers play hard
If contract negotiations remain deadlocked, the 49ers could hold out against Aiyuk. They still have Samuel under contract and recently extended Jauan Jennings through the 2025 season. General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan also drafted a very talented receiver – Ricky Pearsall – in the first round this year.
If Aiyuk’s relationship with the 49ers becomes contentious, the team could refuse to waive fines accrued for his absence from training camp, costing him $40,000 for each day he misses.
The 49ers could also use the franchise tag on Aiyuk after the 2024 season, keeping him with the team through 2025. While there is a negative connotation associated with players being “branded,” this does not is not necessarily negative financially, because a marked player receives the average. of the five highest salaries in their position group from the previous year.
In 2025, the franchise amount for a wide receiver should be around $31 million for a season. The downside for Aiyuk would be a lack of stability going forward.
So what is a reasonable Aiyuk salary?
When we look at the numerous expensive extensions signed by NFL receivers since the end of the 2023 season, we understand why Aiyuk wants to receive his due after four productive seasons. The second team All-Pro’s place in the salary order is debatable, however.
Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson received the highest contract for a non-quarterback this offseason with a five-year, $140 million extension, with $110 million guaranteed. While Aiyuk is a substantial contributor to Shanahan’s offense, he doesn’t have stats comparable to those of Jefferson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2022 All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Philadelphia Eagles player AJ Brown received the second-highest extension this offseason at $96 million over three years, an annual average of $32 million, with $84 million guaranteed. Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will earn the third-highest average salary at $30 million, tying Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill with a total value of $120 million each for their extensions. Their fully guaranteed money differs slightly, with St. Brown at $77 million and Hill at $72.2 million.
Hill’s Miami teammate Jaylen Waddle might be the closest statistical makeup to Aiyuk. Waddle, in three seasons with the Dolphins, recorded three 1,000-yard seasons and scored 18 touchdowns, and he led the league with 18.1 yards per reception in 2022.
Aiyuk recorded two 1,000-yard seasons in four years and scored 25 touchdowns, and he had his best yards per catch average in 2023, with 17.9.
Waddle signed a three-year extension worth $84.75 million this offseason, with an average annual salary of $28.25 million and $76 million guaranteed. The 49ers likely offered Aiyuk a salary close to Waddle’s average salary, understanding the need to match where the receiver market is, but what he demands could be much higher.
Aiyuk’s floor could be the three-year, $70 million deal Michael Pittman signed this offseason, with $46 million guaranteed. Pittman, whom the Indianapolis Colts selected nine picks after Aiyuk in the 2020 draft, has 336 catches for 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns in his four seasons (compared to the 269-3 931-25 line). ‘Aiyuk) and, like his 49ers counterpart, has two 1,000-court seasons. Pittman had 109 receptions last season and finished just short of the century in 2022, with 99 receptions.
The NFL wide receiver market has been set, and where Aiyuk ultimately falls could be settled soon.
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