Brandon Aiyuk does not appear to be any closer to re-signing with the 49ers.
Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers have been in contract talks for what seems like an eternity, and the two sides are allegedly no closer to a settlement than when negotiations began. The 49ers’ star wide receiver wants his due, but with other contract extensions to consider, the 49ers do not appear inclined to overpay at this time.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler told Sportscenter that negotiations between the two sides are still far apart.
Reports have circulated throughout the offseason about whether this deal will be done before the season and how it will affect the team in the future, but there are other things at play in these negotiations for both parties right now. Aiyuk is approaching the final year of his rookie deal, which pays him $14.1 million in 2024.
Several wide receiver contracts for millions of dollars have been signed while the 49ers and Aiyuk have been contract talks for the most of the offseason. The Eagles alone signed both of their best wide receivers, Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown, to lucrative contracts, while the Lions also added Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Aiyuk wants to be paid similarly to these three receivers, most likely closer to Brown and St. Brown, but the 49ers do not appear to be willing to pay that much.
It will be fascinating to watch if these conversations compel Aiyuk to miss the necessary offseason workouts and training camp, which are soon approaching.
Another element influencing Brandon Aiyuk’s contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers is the team’s first-round choice in this year’s draft. At the end of the first round, the 49ers chose to draft a wide receiver in anticipation of Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel’s potential departure.
The draft passed without trading either of their top wide receivers, and Ricky Pearsall will now join Aiyuk and Samuel in a congested wide receiver group.
If the 49ers are unable to finalise a deal, they do have Pearsall to fall back on, but given general manager John Lynch’s previous comments, that does not appear to be the end aim.
There is still time to reach an agreement for both parties, but it would be more hopeful if they could move more quickly than they are currently.
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