There were mistakes, though. Aiyuk lost a fumble and failed to haul in what would have been Jimmy Garoppolo's only touchdown pass of the game.
"Brandon Aiyuk, man, he's got to hold onto that rock," NFL legend Jerry Rice said Monday morning on 95.7 The Game's The Morning Roast. "He can't let that rock get out. And the one in the end zone, are you serious? Man, use your hands. He's got good hands."
After the game, Aiyuk admitted that he and his teammates might have been a little too excited early on, and it took them some time to settle into the flow of the game.
"We felt like the whole game we just didn't capitalize or finish drives," Aiyuk added. "I dropped one down there that would have put us up a little earlier instead of having to wait."
Rice sees a lot of potential in the 49ers' third-year receiver and often gets excited while discussing the player.
"I'm seeing him play with confidence," Rice said of Aiyuk. "Right now, he's catching short passes. I want him to add a little bit more creativity to it, where you catch the football, get those [yards after the catch] and stuff like that, being able to break tackles and go for six.
"That will come because it's one of those things where you start to slow things down just a little bit, and you're able to see things happen before they actually happen. That was something that I had back in the day. It was all about how I use my creativity and I find a way to get to the end zone."
Rice added, "Plus, Aiyuk also got the speed to get down the field. So we want to start utilizing that threat right there because we need someone to be able to take that cover off the top. He's able to work everything underneath."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk apologizes after viral speeding video controversy
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk recently made headlines after sharing a widely criticized video of himself speeding past Levi's Stadium, the team's home venue, in what was reportedly a newly purchased Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Brandon Aiyuk posted a new YouTube... -
Concern growing around 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk after reckless video surfaces
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has yet to play a snap this season and won't, after the team placed him on the reserve/left squad list. Aiyuk had been rehabbing the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered in October 2024, and the 49ers initially hoped he would... -
Kyle Shanahan: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk has been 'extremely distant' since injury
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may have played his final snap for the San Francisco 49ers. The team recently placed him on the reserve/left squad list after being unable to maintain contact with the wideout. This move officially ended his chances of returning this season from the... -
49ers teammate reveals how Brock Purdy's return boosts the team
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is certainly benefiting from Brock Purdy's return to the lineup following the quarterback's lengthy recovery from a turf toe injury. Since Purdy reclaimed his starting role, Jennings has been on a scoring tear, finding the end...