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49ers plan to exercise Brandon Aiyukâs 5th-year option as other teams express interest
Mar 27, 2023 at 9:54 AM
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Don't expect San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk to go anywhere anytime soon. On Monday morning, at the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona, general manager John Lynch made it clear the team plans to exercise the star player's fifth-year option.
"Brandon's been excellent for us," Lynch told reporters. "I'd be shocked if we didn't. We still have some time. It's (the deadline) the day after the draft, I believe, we have to make those decisions. And so we're still discussing, but it probably makes sense to do that for Brandon.
"He's a really good player. It's interesting when you're at these league functions, ownership meetings, combine, a lot of people ask about him. They really appreciate his game, and they see it ascending. And he's a guy we're very fortunate to have, and I think he's just coming into his own, too."
It doesn't sound like Lynch and the 49ers are interested in trading Aiyuk to any of those teams, believing the receiver has only scratched the surface of his potential.
"I think it's only going to get better," Lynch added. "So we're excited about watching Brandon move forward with us."
Having earned a playtime bonus, the 49ers exercising the fifth-year option on Aiyuk would guarantee the receiver $14.12 million in 2024. He would remain a candidate for a contract extension.
Another candidate for the fifth-year option is
Javon Kinlaw. However, the 49ers are not expected to make a move to guarantee the defensive tackle $10.5 million in 2024.
San Francisco drafted Aiyuk (6-0, 200) out of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020. He registered 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns through 17 starts last season.
Aiyuk, 25, has caught 194 passes for 2,589 yards and 18 touchdowns in 46 game appearances (44 starts) through his three NFL seasons.
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