Brandon Aiyuk He reportedly formally requested a deal. He was moved on from the 49ers after contract negotiations stalled in recent weeks, but the All-Pro wide receiver’s future still likely goes one of two ways.
Aiyuk wants to remain in the Bay Area for his fifth year in the NFL, but he wants compensation on par with what other top wide receivers made during the offseason. If another franchise can make that happen, Aiyuk is willing to relocate, but it would be a big price tag for any interested franchise.
Any contender would have to offer the 49ers a compensation package that would include more than a first-round draft pick for the top receiver the 49ers targeted last season, and the team would also have to be able to pay Aiyuk around $28 million to $30 million per year, which would be higher than what San Francisco is offering.
Shortly after Aiyuk requested a trade, 49ers report “no intentions” To deal with him elsewhere.
Here are two likely scenarios regarding Aiyuk’s future.
Extension agreement now
The 49ers have been Get contract extensions for top players Just before or during training camp: George Kittle (2020), Fred Warner (2021), Deebo Samuel (2022) and Nick Bosa (2023) all signed with San Francisco before Week 1 of the regular season.
General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan want to keep the players they draft and develop, and Aiyuk is no exception. They can afford to pay the Arizona State product now, and they might even be able to work out a deal with a higher signing bonus to stay under the salary cap while preparing for Brock Purdy’s blockbuster contract in 2025.
If the two sides can reach an agreement, the wide receiver would be happy to report to team headquarters promptly and prepare for the 2024 season.
Played on fifth-year option
If Aiyuk and the 49ers are unable to come to an agreement, the wide receiver likely won’t attend training camp but is expected to play in Week 1 of the regular season.
The All-Pro wide receiver is set to make $14.1 million in his fifth year in the NFL, more than he’s made over his previous four seasons combined ($12.5 million).
Aiyuk may not be happy this season because he doesn’t have a contract extension, but he’ll want to play well in order to land a multi-year deal heading into the 2025 season.
The 49ers have the option to use the franchise tag on Aiyuk after the season, retaining his rights and then work out a contract extension or potential trade afterwards.
San Francisco could also force Aiyuk to play under the franchise tag in 2025, which would mean he would be paid the average of the top five players at his position in 2024, making roughly $28 million to $30 million a season.
Whatever happens, Aiyuk will be playing somewhere in 2024, most likely in the Bay Area. Ultimately, he’ll be receiving one of the richest contracts at his position, but it’s just a matter of when.
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