The 49ers’ run to the Super Bowl was driven in large part by the team’s skill-position corps. Most of its members are under contract through the next two seasons, but that is not the case for wideout Brandon Aiyuk. 
The 2020 first-rounder is set to play out his fifth-year option in 2024, which carries a value of $14.12MM. A new contract will cost more than that on an annual basis, and Aiyuk’s name has previously been floated in trade talks. He recently made it clear (via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post), however, that he expects to remain in San Francisco next season and beyond.
The 49ers made one of the most noteworthy additions at the trade deadline, acquiring defensive end Chase Young from the Commanders. In the aftermath of that move, however, it was learned the team would make a second contract for Aiyuk a higher priority than Young, who is a pending free agent. A report from last month confirmed an Aiyuk extension is at or near the team’s offseason to-do list.
The Arizona State product has delivered back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and he earned a second-team All-Pro nod for his production in 2023 (75 catches, 1,342 yards, seven touchdowns). Aiyuk, 25, added a 9-149-1 statline in the postseason, and he has established himself as one of Brock Purdy‘s top targets. The latter will be not be eligible for an extension until next offseason, giving the team at least one more campaign with its current offensive nucleus.
The WR market saw a sharp spike in the 2022 offseason, with the position’s high mark now sitting at $30MM per year. It would come as a surprise if Aiyuk managed to approach that figure, but he could join the growing list of wideouts earning $20MM or more on their current pacts when an extension is worked out. Deebo Samuel is attached to a $23.85MM-per-year deal for the next two years, and making another sizable investment at the receiver spot would be cumbersome from a salary cap perspective.
A new Purdy deal, along with the Nick Bosa extension (which sees a jump in cap hits beginning in 2025) will make a major impact on San Francisco’s financial outlook in the near future. Aiyuk figures to be a central part of both the short- and long-term outlook for the 49ers, though, so talks on a new deal will be a storyline to watch with the team’s offseason now underway.
He will probably wait to see what Higgins gets in FA and get a little more.
The other wrs he can’t really compare to like Mike Evans as he is a vet. Mike may try to get another ring or get the big deal he has earned from Tampa.
Just in Jefferson is one of the top wrs so his extension will likely make him the highest paid wr.
I see your point, but playing second fiddle to Samuel and being primarily a RAC receiver probably limits where Aiyuk would be otherwise. That’s not to say that he won’t get a good deal-I agree with you that he probably will. I do believe though that he’ll not earn as much as he would have had he been carrying the offense on his own or if he was a classic X style number one ala Dez Bryant or Julio Jones. The advantage that Higgins has, despite being less productive and also a number two, is that he has prototypical size and runs more of those downfield routes on the outside.
Aiyuk has bounced back from a slow start, and his best competition for being the league’s best underneath and RAC receiver probably comes from his own team. So, with that said, I certainly don’t mean this as negative against Aiyuk. I do predict that those things will affect his contract as opposed to the other free agent WRs. Of course, the strong chance that he returns to San Francisco also will affect that, as well.
While on the depth chart he may be WR2, that passing offense ran through Aiyuk. 17.9Y/R to Deebo 14.9. 1342 yards to Deebo 892. Deebo had more TD because of his rushing, but even add his rush yards he doesn’t come to Aiyuk’s numbers. Not to mention better health. Both had only 2 drops but Aiyuk had 30+ more targets.
He should out earn Higgins. He won’t. But production shows he should.
Very fair points. I agree, especially regarding this past season. I think that Higgins’ physical attributes and play style will be the main influences as to why.
Let me know your opinion on this .In My opinion we let BA walk and use that money to lock up Juan Jennings and find a real smashmouth defensive end along opposite side of Bosa and also a good corner in free agency. I LOVE Brandon as much as the next fan but something tells me we could get very similar production for tons of less cash keeping Juan over BA..
I agree
He will be a Raider next year
Resign both Aiyuk and Jennings to new contracts….
Hey, I would hate to see him go, but if he doesn’t want to be a 9er anymore trade him and get something good and make him regret leaving the team that made him into the player he is today and if he goes to the Raiders good luck on that move because you most definitely won’t go far with that team. So good luck #11 B.A and I hope you make the right decision on your future LETS GO 9ERS 2024
Maybe this is why he would want to leave. Fans are funny, he has to think about long term. If 9ers don’t have the money he wants he needs to find a team that will. If he plays out contract or takes way less(NFLPA won’t allow) are the Faithful going to pay his bills if he gets a major injury that hurts future earnings?
I’d rather retain Clelin Ferrel than Chase Young! Young has more talent but hard work out does talent any day and he don’t take plays off!