San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk once again observed the start of Saturday's practice on the sideline, this time observing with recovering safety Talanoa Hufanga. After a while, reporters noticed that Aiyuk had left the field. Weeks earlier, he had requested a trade after contract negotiations failed to progress to his satisfaction. Aiyuk reported to training camp but has been holding himself out of practices.
The disgruntled wide receiver has been the biggest 49ers-related offseason storyline—a situation that could have been avoided had the team been more proactive in completing a contract extension. At one point, Aiyuk thought a deal was close and told his agent he was ready to head to Santa Clara to make it official. However, nothing materialized, and the situation grew more complicated.
The market exploded, and four NFL receivers are now earning $30 million or more annually. If the 49ers eventually sign Aiyuk to a long-term extension, their delay will likely cost them.
San Francisco still has some leverage. Aiyuk is under contract and set to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option. The 49ers can also utilize the franchise tag in future years. However, Aiyuk's absence from practices prevents third-year quarterback Brock Purdy from building on the chemistry the duo developed over the past two seasons.
One former general manager and NFL insider believes the 49ers must resolve the distraction.
"More than anything, you've got to get everybody's focus back on football," Michael Lombardi said on his "The GM Shuffle" podcast via Mike Santa Barbara of Yardbarker. "Like, I'm sure Kyle Shanahan has had it up to his head in getting asked what's the progress on Brandon Aiyuk."
It's a question the coach was asked on Saturday. His response: "No updates."
Lombardi made it clear he is tired of talking about Aiyuk. Yes, he's a good player, but Lombardi believes his impact on the game is overblown.
"We treat this guy like he's f-----g Randy Moss," Lombardi said. "I mean, he had a good year, he's a good player."
Aiyuk is coming off an impressive 2023 campaign, recording a team-leading and career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. It was his second consecutive season surpassing 1,000 receiving yards, solidifying his position as the 49ers' top wideout.
Complicating matters is the fact that the 49ers must prepare for the future. Next year, the team will make Purdy one of the NFL's highest-paid players, leaving less salary-cap flexibility. This means some tough choices will need to be made, especially if they get a deal with Aiyuk done.
"Once they do this deal with him, Deebo's (Samuel) gone next year," Lombardi commented. "They're not carrying two receivers making in the $20 million's with Brock Purdy's extension going to be $60 million a year coming due."
For now, all eyes remain focused on the standoff in Santa Clara, with neither Aiyuk nor the 49ers willing to blink.
