Receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show for the San Francisco 49ers’ organized crew actions (OTAs) final week, which was anticipated as the 2 sides are navigating a contract dispute.
Aiyuk and the 49ers reportedly aren’t shut on agreeing to a contract extension, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. That has led to hypothesis that the fourth-year wideout will request a commerce if he cannot get the deal he desires. But Aiyuk’s agent says the receiver hasn’t asked out of San Francisco, regardless of unfollowing the crew on social media.
Nevertheless, one other contract just lately signed by a fellow NFL receiver may need offered the quantity that Aiyuk and his illustration need in a brand new deal. Simply earlier than the NFL Draft, Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Detroit Lions that included $77 million in assured cash. That apparently set the bar that Aiyuk desires to achieve, in keeping with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“[Aiyuk] would not have to be the very best paid within the league,” Fowler reported on “NFL Dwell,” “however he is achieved sufficient and achieved sufficient in that offense the place he is in all probability going to have to be at that quantity or greater.”
Whereas that establishes a quantity to work from, the disparity in statistics between Aiyuk and St. Brown will possible be a sticking level for the 49ers in negotiations.
Final season, St. Brown compiled 119 receptions (on 164 targets) for 1,515 yards, 10 touchdowns and 75 first downs. Aiyuk caught 75 passes (on 105 targets) for 1,342 yards, seven scores and 61 first downs.
But Aiyuk can level to an offense that additionally consists of George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey as a giant motive he acquired 59 fewer targets. Regardless of not being featured like St. Brown, he nonetheless led the 49ers in catches and receiving yards.
Aiyuk is ready to make $14.1 million in his fifth-year choice for the 2024-25 season, in keeping with Spotrac. That is under the $30 million in common annual wage St. Brown will get from his new deal. However St. Brown was additionally two years away from free company and can make $4.9 million for 2024-25 from his authentic rookie contract.
A.J. Brown attracts the very best annual wage amongst receivers at $32 million with the $96 million extension he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Behind him are St. Brown and the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, in keeping with Over the Cap.
Is that the place Aiyuk desires his wage to fit in? Do the 49ers really feel that he is as useful to their offense as these different three — particularly with different star expertise to pay, notably quarterback Brock Purdy? The crew can also be projected to be $23.9 million over the cap in 2025.
These questions current the negotiating limbo during which Aiyuk and the 49ers at present discover themselves.