A video surfaced on Wednesday that sparked optimism among the San Francisco 49ers fanbase, suggesting a resolution to the Brandon Aiyuk situation might be nearing. The footage featured a delighted Aiyuk interacting with an equally cheerful John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, hinting that a contract agreement might be on the horizon.
#49ers Brandon Aiyuk just walked to midfield and dapped up John Lynch & Kyle Shanahan 👀 pic.twitter.com/eB6OmbxfW9
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) July 31, 2024
Of course, that is pure speculation.
On Thursday night, Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle provided an update on the contract standoff, though it wasn't exactly what fans were hoping for. However, it wasn't necessarily bad news either.
"As of earlier today, there was a sense in the building that it still could go a lot of different ways," Silver wrote on social media. "Obviously, that could change quickly. The fact that he showed up for camp, rather than stayed away, is probably a positive sign. Hope to learn more soon."
I don't have anything to report on the Brandon Aiyuk/49ers contract front. As of earlier today, there was a sense in the building that it still could go a lot of different ways. Obviously, that could change quickly. The fact that he showed up for camp, rather than stayed away, is…
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 2, 2024
Aiyuk is slated to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option. However, he hopes to become one of the NFL's top-paid receivers, which would mean the 49ers paying him over twice that amount annually.
Aiyuk is coming off his best year as a pro. In his 16 game appearances last season, he recorded a career-high and team-leading 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. It was his second consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving mark.