San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk attended training camp, but he was seen in shorts and a t-shirt while observing practice on Wednesday. Aiyuk awaits a resolution regarding his contract status as he is looking for a deal in line with some of the top players at wide receiver. Aiyuk has formally requested a trade with the team, but the 49ers are not budging in their desire to keep the 26-year-old. Without a trade, Aiyuk will play in San Francisco on his fifth-year option, where he's put up two straight 1,000-yard campaigns and enters 2024 as a low-end WR1 if he plays this season in the Bay Area.
San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is reporting to training camp this week, according to sources, despite his desires for a new long-term contract extension. The 49ers have not held extensive contract talks with him since May, and because of that, Aiyuk has formally requested a trade. As of the start of training camps this week, a trade of Aiyuk isn't close at all, but that could change once practices get underway and players start going down with injuries. If Aiyuk is eventually dealt before the start of the 2024 regular season, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and rookie first rounder Ricky Pearsall would be locked into starting three-wide sets in San Fran. If no trade happens, Aiyuk will be set to play out the 2024 campaign on his fifth-year option after posting his second straight 1,000-yard receiving season last year. He's a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in the Bay Area in fantasy if he sticks around.
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said it remains unlikely that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will end up in Washington. Aiyuk formally requested a trade recently because of his frustration with the progress of contract-extension negotiations and posted a still photograph of a Commanders practice on social media this week. There are plenty of concerns about the Commanders' depth at the receiver position behind Terry McLaurin, but it doesn't sound like they are considering trading for the 26-year-old former first-rounder as the 2024 regular season approaches. The most likely scenario is that Aiyuk plays out his fifth-year option in San Fran and becomes a highly-coveted free agent next March. Aiyuk is a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in 2024 after posting his second straight 1,000-yard season with seven TDs in 2023.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade nearly a week ago after not securing a contract extension from the team. While there is still time to rectify the situation, the wideout is at least drawing support, with tight end George Kittle openly expressing his admiration for his teammate. "Aiyuk's just a phenomenal football player," Kittle told NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. "He does everything you want him to do as a wide receiver. So, yes, getting Brandon Aiyuk the money that he deserves -- I hope nothing for the best for him." The 26-year-old is due to make just over $14 million this season on the fifth-year option. But as long as both sides remain at a stalemate, Aiyuk's fantasy outlook won't get much brighter despite coming off a 1,342-yard, seven-touchdown 2023-24 campaign.
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade after an offseason of unsuccessful attempts to reach a long-term contract extension. Despite a recent meeting, the 49ers haven't been willing to engage in negotiations since May, which has led Aiyuk to respectfully ask for a trade out of town. The 26-year-old former first-rounder is currently set to make $14.12 million in 2024 on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. Assuming he isn't traded before training camp at the end of the month, it's highly likely that Aiyuk will hold out, which will make his fantasy draft status as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 more shaky. And if Aiyuk is traded before the start of the 2024 regular season, it will mean bigger offensive roles for wideouts Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall.
Brandon Aiyuk Making News With Latest Social Media Post
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk posted a picture of a Washington Commanders' practice session on the social media platform TikTok. The wideout reportedly wants to remain in San Francisco, although he wants to be paid. However, if both sides can't reach an agreement on a new deal, Aiyuk has been vocal about his desire to play in Washington or Pittsburgh. This isn't the first time he has used social media to keep himself in the news. But considering Aiyuk amassed 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns off 75 catches in 2023-24, his fantasy stock is higher than ever. It could increase even more with a move to the Steelers or Commanders, where he would likely be considered the No. 1 wideout on the depth chart.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk reportedly had a great meeting with the organization last week and said he wants to remain with the team, but NFL insider Mike Garafolo said the two sides are "no closer to a deal" following their in-person talks. The wide receiver market is blowing up this offseason, as four pass-catchers have signed deals that include at least $28.25 million annually. Aiyuk, after posting a career-high 1,342 receiving yards last season, likely wants to be the next in line. The Niners are loaded with talent and will have to pay quarterback Brock Purdy in the coming offseasons, so it's a tricky situation to navigate. Aiyuk has been in trade rumors, and this is still an ongoing predicament that will be worth monitoring leading up to the start of the 2024 campaign.
San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he wants to stay with the team this season despite a contract stalemate with the Niners. Aiyuk is entering the final season of his rookie deal but told TMZ Sports at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday that he's ready to play for the 49ers although the two sides have yet to agree on an extension. In a video on TikTok this month, Aiyuk told Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former Arizona State teammate, that "they said they don't want me back." ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported that talks between Aiyuk and the Niners "have stalled a bit." He's slated to count $14.124 million against the 2024 salary cap. Coming off a 75-catch, 1,342-yard, seven touchdown season, Aiyuk should stick around in the Bay Area for at least this season and should be viewed as a low-end WR1 in fantasy.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers "Pretty Far Apart" On A New Deal
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appeared on The Pivot on Friday. Of course, the topic of his contract with the team was addressed. NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported a few days ago that both sides recently had a "good meeting." However, that may not be the case. "Throughout this process, there have been times when we're super close," Aiyuk said during the podcast interview. "There's days and times, like in the past month or so, where you could say we're pretty far apart." The wideout indicated that both sides were closer to an agreement when the negotiation process began. But recent deals for other wide receivers around the National Football League changed things. Aiyuk finished the 2023-24 campaign by amassing 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also demonstrated his durability, missing just one regular season game in the last three years. The 26-year-old is entering the final season of his current deal, so his value to the other 31 teams in the NFL will increase if he continues to produce. Nonetheless, Aiyuk's fantasy stock is at an all-time high heading into the 2024-25 campaign, even though he'll share a field with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel Sr., and George Kittle.
The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had a "good meeting" on Monday and will continue to work toward a resolution amidst the 26-year-old's latest frustration, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. At this time, Aiyuk, who seeks a contract extension, has not made a formal trade request and the 49ers want him to be part of their team in 2024. The wide receiver is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is due to hit free agency next offseason, barring an extension. He had a career year in 2023, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Even in an offense that also includes Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, fantasy managers should treat Aiyuk as a strong WR2 option.
