There appears to be no progress on Brandon Aiyuk’s re-signing with the 49ers.
KEY POINTS:
* Aiyuk’s contract talks with the 49ers seem to be at an impasse.
* Aiyuk is looking to sign a big contract this offseason, much as other wide receivers did.
*Receiver Ricky Pearsall was selected by the 49ers as a possible backup in the event that contract negotiations get acrimonious.
After what seems like an eternity of contract talks, Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers are allegedly no closer to a settlement than when talks started. The 49ers do not appear inclined to overspend at this moment, even though their star wide receiver wants his due and there are other contract extensions to consider.
Speaking on Sportscenter, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that the two parties are still at odds with each other in their talks.
With a year left on his contract, he wants a new one. The 49ers are reportedly quite interested in making a deal, but negotiations have not advanced to the point where a deal is imminent.
There have been a lot of rumours going around this offseason about whether this agreement will be done before the season starts and how it will affect the team going forward, but both sides are now considering a number of different variables. Aiyuk’s rookie deal, which pays him $14.1 million in 2024, is about to expire.
Numerous wide receiver contracts worth enormous sums of money have been signed by the 49ers and Aiyuk, who have been in contract negotiations for most of the offseason. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, the Eagles’ two best wide receivers, both signed big deals, while Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions’ wide receiver, also inked a hefty deal.
Aiyuk wants to be paid roughly what these three receivers are making, preferably closer to Brown and St. Brown, but the 49ers don’t seem to be willing to pay him that much right now.
The San Francisco 49ers’ first-round selection pick this year is another element influencing the contract talks between Brandon Aiyuk and the team. The 49ers made the decision to select a wide receiver at the conclusion of the first round in anticipation of the potential departure of Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk.
After both of their best wide receivers were kept in the draft, Ricky Pearsall will now be a part of a crowded wide receiver group that already includes Aiyuk and Samuel.
The 49ers do have Pearsall as a backup option if they can’t reach a contract, but based on general manager John Lynch’s previous remarks, it doesn’t appear that’s the end game.
There is still time to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, but it would be more hopeful if they moved forward more quickly than they now are.
ESPN is the source.
Unless otherwise noted, all contract data is courtesy of Spotrac, and all statistics are courtesy of Pro-Football Reference.
As training camp draws near, it will be fascinating to watch if these agreements force Aiyuk to miss out on the required off-season workouts.