Now in the NFL’s quiet period between minicamp and training camp, a few wide receiver situations move toward center stage. The Cowboys have not extended CeeDee Lamb, while Tee Higgins is the last remaining player on a franchise tag. The Broncos and Courtland Sutton have not reached a resolution, and the Browns are working on resolving their Amari Cooper situation.
While our most recent Trade Rumors Front Office piece touched on the complications the Cowboys’ situation could bring for a Lamb deal, the 49ers have interesting terrain to navigate as well. They want Brandon Aiyuk around beyond 2024, but as of now, they are not readying to pay the new market rate at this position.
[RELATED: 49ers Sought Mid-First-Round Pick For Aiyuk]
San Francisco and Aiyuk have seen negotiations stall, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said during a SportsCenter appearance. The 49ers’ desire to extend Aiyuk has not prompted them to go toward the places this new market is covering, Fowler adds. It is not known how far apart team and player are here, but Aiyuk did not attend minicamp and has now lobbed a salvo at club management.
During a video call with ex-Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, Aiyuk said (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman) the 49ers “They said they don’t want me back, I swear.” This certainly runs counter to the messaging coming out of San Francisco this offseason, and The Athletic’s David Lombardi notes (subscription required) this can be interpreted as the team not wanting Aiyuk back at the price he is seeking. Social media-driven actions — scrubbing team content from pages, Deebo Samuel sharing 49ers negotiating details, Von Miller cropping John Elway out of a White House lawn photo — have been increasingly common for players in contract squabbles. They largely prove as footnotes in the grand scheme, however.
Aiyuk is tied to a manageable fifth-year option salary ($14.12MM). The 49ers do not have to act this year, though the cost may well rise the longer the team waits. The ebbs and flows of this negotiation, numbers-wise, are not known. But it is fair to believe Aiyuk’s asking price has risen since the run of WR deals came to pass this offseason. An extension north of Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s four-year, $120.01MM Lions extension came up from Aiyuk’s camp. As it stands, the 49ers do not appear to want this negotiation to end there.
Aiyuk, 26, may make more sense as a long-term investment compared to Samuel. Aiyuk-over-Samuel — on a team payroll that should eventually include a Brock Purdy extension — rumors have circulated to the point the older wideout has addressed his future in San Francisco. Samuel, 28, is signed through the 2025 season — at $23.9MM per year. The market is rising once again, and three players now earn more than $30MM per year. Aiyuk has never made a Pro Bowl, however, separating him from the tier Lamb likely will end up on once his negotiations wrap.
Among 49ers, only Jerry Rice has accumulated more receiving yards through four seasons than Aiyuk’s 3,931. The NFL, of course, has shifted toward a pass-heavy league in the years since Rice’s otherworldly prime. Terrell Owens did not become an immediate starter as a rookie, and Samuel missed 15 games over his first four seasons. Samuel, though, also packed in a first-team All-Pro season (2021) during his first four seasons. An Aiyuk extension in the $30MM-AAV range, while in step with the new market, may cause an issue for San Francisco’s versatile weapon. That 49ers-centric stat also may not paint the full picture; among active wideouts, Aiyuk’s yardage through four seasons ranks 14th.
The 49ers can retain Aiyuk on the franchise tag in 2025, though the team is currently projected to be $37MM-plus over next year’s salary cap. This is with Purdy on his seventh-round contract and both Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir unsigned. Aiyuk can potentially use San Francisco’s cap situation in his negotiations, though it would not be out of the question for the 49ers to find a way to tag him next year.
Like the Bengals, the 49ers attempting to make this WR setup work for one more year points to Aiyuk remaining with the team. First-round pick Ricky Pearsall looms as a potential successor for Samuel or Aiyuk. As this interesting round of negotiations persists, training camp will be the next step.
Since Aiyuk is on a rookie contract, the 49ers can waive his $50K-per-day fines — as they did for Nick Bosa once he signed — for holding out of training camp. The team reached an extension with Samuel, who staged a hold-in, days into its 2022 camp. With more than a month left until Aiyuk is required to report, it will be interesting to see which side budges here.
Besides Washington, what other team has the cap strength to swing a deal? Then what’s involved? Picks/players?
New England has cap space and needs a #1 receiver, but a few teams could make it work. It would be a fun move for Detroit, not that I see it happening.
What’s he worth in ur book? First, second, third rounder? Combo picks?
Hard to think he wouldn’t be worth a first round pick, but maybe not from a team like the Patriots that’s so likely to have a very high pick.
Most teams have the cap strength for an extension. A new deal will bring this year’s hit down. It’s just a matter of a team willing to pay Aiyuk 30+ million a year.
“They don’t want me back.” That’s funny. In other words, “they aren’t offering me what I want.” So can the 49ers say, “he doesn’t want to play for us” when he reject their contract offer? What a baby.
What a baby, wanting to get paid like almost everyone else of his level of talent and accomplishment, after producing millions in surplus value and being at risk of a career altering injury at any moment. If only he could be a man’s man, like the CEO of the team, who’s never had to have a job anywhere else because his grandpa bought the team.
Except Aiyuk benefits from the all pro cast he’s surrounded by. He’s not “the guy” like everyone else being paid 30mil is.
It cuts both ways. He was still a number one receiver, leading the team in targets and receptions. He also finished 7th in the NFL in receiving yards, despite playing in a low-volume passing attack and seeing fewer targets than anyone in the top 18. Everyone ahead of him has at least 31 more targets. I’d say Aiyuk is a top ten receiver in the game and having talent around him doesn’t change that.
I don’t think what you are saying is wrong. But for Aiyuk to say “they said they don’t want me back I swear.” Is ridiculous and lacking context. Certainly makes him look at the very least like a bit of a drama queen.
Many of the best receivers have a little drama queen to them.
That isn’t an unfair statement. But it doesn’t change anything I said either. Aiyuk isn’t making himself look great when he goes out and basically lies. Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for. I like Aiyuk and would like for them to get something done to try to take one last shot with this group. But I think he needs to realize too there is a difference between Aiyuk on San Fransisco and Aiyuk on Washington as far as how defenses can defend him and what he will be able to bring to the table.
No problem with him wanting to get paid. Saying, “they don’t want me,” is incredibly immature. So yes, acting like a baby. Can’t believe I had to spell it out for you.
Two words “Dog house” always come to mind when I think of Aiyuk. Once in a while I would like a guy to sign a contract and just say it….. “If my coach didn’t push me harder and I let my pride win then this contract isn’t even happening….” I don’t know the guy so I can only tell you written reputation… but if was on a bad team at that time his career would have been so stunted. The Niners elevated him. Kudos for him for all his part he did to make this money that’s coming. I’ll never forget that amazing catch he tipped to himself falling down in the playoffs. I know he’s good… but take Deebo like money and stay! Please
The 49ers are already in a tricky spot trying to keep together their team of stars around the cheapest possible QB. Wait til next year, when Purdy is finally eligible to be paid enough to maybe put a down payment on a home in San Francisco.
Very true. They have too much talent and now the bill is due. But not sure if anyone wants to actually live in SF
He will most likely buy a house in Los Gatos, Saratoga, Menlo, Atherton, or Woodside.
This. Santa Clara is about 40-50 miles from SF. Guarantee you no one on the roster lives in SF
Jacksonville just made that harder than it already was. if Dak and Tua get 60ish million a year, Purdy could get 63-66 million a year. Then we are going to see a trickledown effect of Mahomes, Burrow, Allen and other top QB wanting raises to put them up with or higher than Purdy and Dak.
Jacksonville screwed everyone…. again.
The only thing about Lawrence’s deal is after year one of the extension, it’s a “get paid as you play” contract. They could designate him as a June 1st release in 3 years and only have the void years as a cap penalty. He could get released and not see 235 million of that deal.
Purdy isn’t getting market resetting money.
I’m sure he was never actually told those words by management. He’s just another WR using the media to gain leverage in his negotiations on a contract because he knows people will believe him or the 49ers. SF won’t refute those comments. The kid will get his contract in the end and most likely Samuel will be out the door by next season.They can’t afford to keep both at the price Aiyuk wants and deserves.
Too bad he has zero leverage in this situation and is under 49er control for 3 more seasons. From all the comments I have read, I would say at least 90% of the people are behind the 49ers on this because the Tik Tok was a diva move and it was a poor decision on his part. His agent should be ripping into him.
I don’t understand why the 49ers don’t just tell Kittle to accept a pay cut. He’s a non factor in post season games.
Do you really not understand? He’s probably the best true tight end in football right now. He had the most receiving yards among all tight ends last year despite playing for the team that attempted the fewest passes and playing alongside multiple star pass catchers. He’s also a strong blocker who contributes a lot beyond his receiving numbers.
Then Kittle would tell you to trade him and take a dead cap hit.
Your eyes are broken if you just typed that comment. The peoples tight end demands you stop ✋️
The 49ers made a mistake paying Deebo Samuel. I would trade HIM before I’d trade Aiyuk.
Most likely next offseason when they can save more cash on the deal. Moving him and reworking William’s deal will save them 25-30 million next year.
Can’t pay everyone. Trade Aiyuk now. Learn from other teams that once in a while you need to part ways with a star. Even if he’s young. And recoup the assets to keep your window open. I hate to even type this out. Even saying it is hard. Nothing harder than nailing your draft pick and then waving goodbye.
“The NFL, of course, has shifted toward a pass-heavy league in the years since Rice’s otherworldly prime. ” True, and they also added games.