The 49ers have tried to work out a multiyear contract extension with Brandon Aiyuk because the 2023 NFL season ended, however the sides have not been in a position to attain an settlement up to now.
Then, on Monday, a report surfaced that Aiyuk deliberate to go to the crew facility in Santa Clara for a gathering, which in and of itself is an uncommon occasion, as the whole crew and workers is on summer season break. It does point out, nonetheless, that the perimeters stay in communication, although the 2020 first-round draft choose’s future nonetheless may unfold in a number of other ways.
Whereas a commerce all the time is feasible, listed below are three ways in which Aiyuk can stay with the 49ers this season and doubtlessly past.
An settlement is reached
Traditionally, the 49ers want to maintain their proficient gamers within the constructing with high-dollar multiyear extensions. The proof is on the roster, with long-term offers signed by George Kittle, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa over the previous a number of years.
The 49ers little doubt have made Aiyuk affordable affords that mirror his efficiency over his 4 NFL seasons. If the perimeters are shut on a assured greenback quantity, they may be capable to attain a compromise with the intention to maintain everybody concerned blissful.
The 49ers have already got restructured a number of gamers’ contracts with the intention to manipulate the full salaries paid out, and so they stay underneath the NFL wage cap. Additionally they have yet one more season with a bit of further wiggle room since quarterback Brock Purdy is on the third and ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, with a profitable extension more likely to come.
With some compromise on either side, a helpful extension may very well be reached.
Aiyuk holds out, then experiences for Week 1
Simply as Aiyuk refused to report for obligatory minicamp just a few weeks in the past, he may fail to indicate up on the facility throughout coaching camp subsequent month. With Aiyuk nonetheless on his first NFL contract/fifth-year possibility, the 49ers have the power to waive fines levied on a participant who’s absent from camp, as they did with Bosa earlier than the 2023 season. Organizations cannot waive fines for absences throughout minicamp.
Like Bosa throughout his personal holdout, Aiyuk nonetheless is underneath contract, and will determine to skip coaching camp in its entirety and wait to report till simply forward of Week 1. But when the perimeters nonetheless cannot agree on a long-term extension by the point the 2024 NFL season begins, there isn’t any likelihood Aiyuk sits out. Reporting after the beginning of the season could be pricey, with Aiyuk’s wage leaping from simply over $2.3 million in 2023 to $14.1 million assured in 2024.
With out an extension in place, Aiyuk would have the 2024 season to indicate the world his worth and set himself up for a mega contract previous to his sixth season.
The 49ers play laborious ball
If contract talks stay in a stalemate, the 49ers may maintain their floor with Aiyuk. They nonetheless have Samuel underneath contract, and just lately prolonged Jauan Jennings via the 2025 season. Basic supervisor John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan additionally drafted a really proficient large receiver — Ricky Pearsall — within the first spherical this 12 months.
If the Aiyuk-49ers relationship turns into cantankerous, the crew may refuse to waive the fines accrued for his coaching camp absence, which might price him $40,000 for every day missed.
The 49ers additionally may use the franchise tag on Aiyuk after the 2024 season, maintaining him with the crew via 2025. Whereas there’s a unfavorable connotation related to gamers being “tagged,” it isn’t essentially unfavorable financially, as a tagged participant receives the typical of the highest 5 salaries of their place group from the earlier 12 months.
In 2025, the franchise tag for a large receiver must be within the neighborhood of $31 million for one season. The disadvantage for Aiyuk could be an absence of stability for the longer term.
So, what’s an affordable Aiyuk wage?
When wanting on the many high-priced extensions signed by NFL large receivers because the 2023 season ended, it is comprehensible why Aiyuk desires to obtain his due after 4 productive seasons. The place the second crew All-Professional falls within the order of salaries, nonetheless, is debatable.
Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson obtained the best contract for a non-quarterback this offseason with a five-year, $140 million extension, with $110 million assured. Whereas Aiyuk is a considerable contributor to Shanahan’s offense, he doesn’t have comparable stats to Jefferson, a three-time Professional Bowl choice and 2022 All-Professional and NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months.
Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown obtained the second-highest extension this offseason at $96 million over three years, an annual common of $32 million, with $84 million assured. Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will earn the third-highest common wage of $30 million, matching Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill with complete values of $120 million every for his or her extensions. Their absolutely assured cash differs barely, with St. Brown at $77 million and Hill at $72.2 million.
Hill’s Miami teammate, Jaylen Waddle, may be the closest statistical comp to Aiyuk. Waddle, in three seasons with the Dolphins, has recorded three 1,000-yard seasons and scored 18 touchdowns, and he led the league with 18.1 yards per reception in 2022.
Aiyuk has recorded two 1,000-yard seasons in 4 years and scored 25 touchdowns, and he had his finest common yards per catch in 2023, with 17.9.
Waddle signed a three-year extension value $84.75 million this offseason, with a median annual wage of $28.25 million and $76 million assured. The 49ers possible supplied Aiyuk someplace within the neighborhood of Waddle’s common wage, understanding the necessity to match the place the receiver market stands, however what he is demanding may very well be a lot greater.
Aiyuk’s flooring may very well be the three-year, $70 million contract that Michael Pittman signed this offseason, with $46 million assured. Pittman, whom the Indianapolis Colts chosen 9 picks after Aiyuk within the 2020 draft, made 336 catches for 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns in his 4 seasons (in comparison with Aiyuk’s 269-3,931-25 line) and, like his 49ers counterpart, has two 1,000-yard seasons. Pittman had a whopping 109 catches final season, and completed simply shy of the century mark in 2022, with 99 receptions.
The NFL large receiver market has been set, and the place Aiyuk ultimately will fall in it may very well be settled quickly.
Obtain and comply with the 49ers Discuss Podcast