How Far Apart are the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk on a Contract Extension?

Rumors circulated before and during the 2024 NFL Draft about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers losing one of their top two wide receivers—Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Such a scenario could have significantly impacted the team's success in the upcoming season and posed a potential blow for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrived alongside the dynamic duo on the field. However, none of these speculations came to fruition. Both Aiyuk and Samuel remain on the roster, at least for another season, though their future beyond that remains uncertain. Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension that would position him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. At the same time, Samuel already commands a significant salary following a deal rework in 2022.

Rumors swirled around the statuses of San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. In the end, both players remained on the roster, and the speculation surrounding the two star players dwindled. While the 49ers repeatedly insisted that signing Aiyuk to a long-term deal remained the priority, there were reports of trade talks involving him and Samuel. After San Francisco drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick, the Aiyuk trade rumors cooled off, and the Samuel ones heated up. RELATED: John Lynch on Aiyuk, Samuel

Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk were both subjects of trade speculation before and during the draft. While the San Francisco 49ers seem poised to retain both receivers for at least one more season, their long-term futures with the team remain uncertain. The 49ers seek to sign Aiyuk to a contract extension, which could lead to efforts to offload Samuel's salary as early as next year. However, this remains speculative as the team's brass continues to express support for both players. RELATED: When the 49ers reportedly ceased entertaining Deebo Samuel trade offers During a segment on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access," former NFL running back Robert

The San Francisco 49ers' selection of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick does not indicate an imminent departure for Brandon Aiyuk. Let's make that clear right now. The 49ers remain focused on signing their veteran wideout to a long-term deal. While ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes that Pearsall's selection could lead to the eventual parting ways with one of the 49ers' wide receivers, he points out another impact Aiyuk's former Arizona State teammate might have on his 2024 campaign. "Aiyuk might be delighted to link up with a former teammate, but in the short term, adding another first-round