Brandon Aiyuk has the support of his San Francisco 49ers teammates as the star receiver seeks a contract extension. He aims to turn his scheduled $14.124 million salary in 2024 into a long-term deal worth more than double that amount annually.
This situation is familiar to the 49ers, who have signed several star players to contract extensions over the last four years. Linebacker Fred Warner was one of them, going through a similar negotiation in 2021. He views the recurring dilemma as a positive indicator of the team's talent.
"Obviously, when you're part of such a talented roster, I feel like this is something that goes on every season, and it's a good issue to have because, obviously, that means that your players are performing at such a high level that you have to have these kind of conversations," Warner said Monday on 95.7 The Game. "And it's part of the business, and so, obviously, we all just let them handle that, and when he's back, he's back, and we will welcome with open arms."
Warner isn't the only 49ers player who voiced his support on Monday. Tight end George Kittle joined NFL Network's "The Insiders" and emphasized that the talented wide receiver deserves every penny he is asking for.
"Aiyuk's just a phenomenal football player," Kittle said. "He does everything you want him to do as a wide receiver, including taking touchdowns from me once in a while, which I'm totally OK with. But he's just such a dynamic receiver and he's just such a very important part of our offense. So, yes, getting Brandon Aiyuk the money that he deserves -- I hope nothing for the best for him."
Aiyuk amassed 1,342 receiving yards last season, leading the team for the second consecutive season and recording back-to-back seasons surpassing the 1,000-receiving-yard mark. San Francisco selected Aiyuk with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 draft.