Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has criticized the San Francisco 49ers for their reluctance to pay wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk his market value. With Aiyuk slated to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on a team-exercised fifth-year option, Florio argues that the team is underpaying one of its most valuable offensive assets.
The wide receiver market has surged this offseason, with four receivers now set to earn $30 million or more annually. Aiyuk, coming off back-to-back seasons surpassing 1,000 receiving yards, is likely seeking a deal in that range.
During an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show," Florio revealed that Aiyuk's agent had been given permission to explore other teams' interest before the draft as negotiations with the 49ers stalled.
According to Florio, several teams were willing to meet Aiyuk's demands, initially set at $28 million a year, before the market changed dramatically. They just couldn't agree with the 49ers on compensation.
"I'm told there were five teams that were ready to go and give him what he wanted, what the 49ers wouldn't give him," Florio stated. "But they couldn't work out a deal with the 49ers for a trade. And from the 49ers' perspective, this is where it gets a little screwy. You've got five other teams that were willing to pay him what he wants and give you something to get him. Why won't you just pay him what he wants?
"So he's taken the stand now. He's asked to be traded. We'll see if he shows up for camp."
"I'm told that there were five teams during the draft that were willing to give Brandon Aiyuk the money he wanted but they couldn't work out a deal..
We've seen that you've gotta be the squeaky wheel to get paid by the 49ers" @ProFootballTalk #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/egppNc99xJ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 19, 2024
In 2023, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, leading the team in receiving yards for the second consecutive season. His emergence as the team's top wideout has made him a vital part of the 49ers' offense.
"I think one thing we can all agree on: $14.1 million is criminally low for a guy who was a second-team All-Pro, second in the league in yards per target," Florio continued. "He had 1,300-plus receiving yards on only 105 targets last year. Imagine what he could do if he was getting the ball thrown his way 180 times, like CeeDee Lamb."
As fans await news of a resolution between player and team, many analysts are starting to wonder if the 49ers' championship aspirations might hinge on making Aiyuk happy.
