Brandon Aiyuk is one of several San Francisco 49ers skipping voluntary offseason team activities this week.
The second-team All-Pro wants a new contract that better aligns his pay with the burgeoning wide receiver market. The sides haven’t yet gotten close to a deal, so Aiyuk is staying away from voluntary workouts.
Coach Kyle Shanahan dismissed concern about Aiyuk’s absence.
When questioned about the situation on Tuesday, Shanahan responded, “Same as I do about all these guys that aren’t here,” according to the team’s official transcript. “I wish they were here, but you try to appreciate anything that is a part of the business because that is what it is. Try to keep out of it as much as you can. I’m looking forward to the times when we can talk about football alone.”
For OTAs, the 49ers will be without a number of important offensive players. Jauan Jennings and Christian McCaffrey are also not taking part. It is uncertain why CMC did not show up. Jennings’ restricted contract tender is still pending.
On the fifth-year option, Aiyuk will be paid $14.124 million in 2024. Aiyuk is being underpaid in comparison to his value, while eighteen wide receivers earn more than $20 million annually. The wideout’s team may argue that Aiyuk should be playing for Amon-Ra St. Brown, who makes almost $30 million in new money annually. The Niners might argue that Deebo Samuel is only worth $23.85 million and that St. Brown has outperformed Aiyuk thus far in terms of stats. Aiyuk might have more stats if he played for an offense that fed him the ball in the same manner as the Lions do to St. Brown. At this stage, is it possible for negotiations to become circular?
Aiyuk or Samuel might be traded, according to rumors that persisted throughout the 2024 NFL Draft. Ultimately, quarterback Brock Purdy was relieved that the Niners chose to remain inactive.
“The draft is going on and stuff, and obviously you’re excited to get guys that you’re drafting, but at the same time, it’s like, ‘dang dude, we could have some kind of trade stuff happen and whatever,'” Purdy explained. But as I previously stated, I have no influence over any of that. I was essentially just waiting to see how our team would proceed and everything. It’s my responsibility to turn up, take the game to the opposition, and try to win. So that’s how I’m thinking about it. However, I do adore my guys, and it goes without saying that I hope we can all play together in the future.
The Niners are prepared to wait until 2024 to settle disputes and make a decision the following season. The wide receiver may have a protracted holdout, or they may be able to persuade him to take that route in an effort to win another Super Bowl.
