Brandon Aiyuk reported to San Francisco 49ers training camp with his teammates but has made it clear he won't practice until a contract extension is in place. Frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations, Aiyuk had requested a trade before reporting to camp.
Aiyuk is set to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option, a figure that falls well below the market value for top NFL receivers. Although he has not participated in practices, he has remained engaged in other team activities.
"He's been doing awesome," 49ers receivers coach Leonard Hankerson said on Monday. "He's been coming to me, and he's been sitting there, looking at the film. And he's there like all the other guys. He's around the teammates and stuff, and it's been good just having him around."
Aiyuk was absent during the 49ers' voluntary offseason program and missed the team's mandatory training camp in early June, with the latter leading to fines. However, his presence during training camp has helped him avoid additional penalties.
"We didn't get a chance to have him around in OTAs, and now that he is here, it's all good, having a full group with him being there," Hankerson commented. "Him and the guys, they still communicate. So it's been good."
The 49ers remain hopeful that Aiyuk will eventually agree to their proposed contract, which is reportedly worth $26 million annually. With the regular season approaching, both sides face increasing pressure to finalize a deal.