The Drama Between Brandon Aiyuk & The 49ers Continues
Brandon Aiyuk shared a video on tik tok of himself talking to Commanders’ rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
The 49ers and Aiyuk have been unable to come to an agreement on an extension this entire off-season.
My guess is that this is a ploy by Aiyuk to do his best to force the 49ers hand so that they cave to his demands. He didn’t mention the 49ers by name, but I think we all know what he’s really talking about.
The 49ers are in a tough spot because you can only pay so many players at the top of the market.
Here’s a look at other 49ers offensive players who rank near the top in $/year at their position.
Christian McCafrey: 1st at RB
Trent Williams: 3rd at LT
Deebo Samuel: 11th at WR
It sounds like Aiyuk is looking to make around $30 mil per year at WR which would tie him with Amon-Ra St Brown and Tyreek Hill per overthecap. The only receivers making more than $30 mil/year are AJ Brown ($32mil/yr) and Justin Jefferson ($35miol/yr).
My guess is that by the time the season starts the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk will have agreed on a deal in the $26-$30 mil/yr range. Aiyuk is in the prime of his career and is still only 26 years old. I think it would be unwise to take away Brock Purdy’s leading receiver. If both sides are truly stuck in their ways and have no plan budge, Aiyuk could be traded. My guess is it doesn’t come to that.
We’ve seen teams move on from top WR’s before. The Chiefs are a perfect example. After they traded away Tyreek Hill they didn’t skip a beat. But that’s Mahomes we’re talking about.
You don’t know what happens to Purdy and the 49ers offense if Aiyuk is taken out of the equation. Are the 49ers really willing to take that risk when they still have a team built to win right now?