STATELINE, Nev. — Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remains Extend the contract The days remaining until the 49ers’ training camp opens are dwindling.
Aiyuk’s unclear contract situation was a major talking point during the offseason, but the greatest receiver in football history stressed that what happens on the football field must take priority.
“For Brandon Aiyuk, I think his main focus right now is just to play football,” Rice told NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday at the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
“Just play football and let him perform to his ability and we’ll see what happens after the season. It’s in his control. That’s what you want.”
Aiyuk is looking for Long-term extension The announcement was made before the start of the season. Aiyuk is set to play this season on his fifth-year, $14.124 million option.
If the 49ers and Aiyuk cannot come to a contract agreement, he may be forced to play out this season under his current contract, after which he will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Of course, the 49ers could roster him as their franchise player next year, which would open the door to a trade, and Aiyuk is expected to be one of the highest-paid receivers in the league on his next contract.
“I think he’s hoping that he’s already got that security so he can just play football and not think about it too much,” Rice said, “but he still has an opportunity to showcase what he’s capable of.”
“I think the most important thing for him right now is to play his best and show everybody, ‘Hey, look, I’m the No. 1 guy. If you make me the No. 1 guy, I’m gonna thrive.'”
Aiyuk led the 49ers He led the team in receptions and receiving yards each of the past two seasons, and in 2023 he had 75 catches for a career-best 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earning him second-team All-Pro honors.
Rice said he couldn’t predict how Aiyuk’s contract would be resolved, but he doesn’t want the issue to get in the way of the team’s success.
“That’s up to management,” Rice said. “They make the decisions. They do everything. And we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. But that door is going to close, so we’re not going to get in the way of it. And we’ve got to kick that door down now.”
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