Count Ed McCaffrey, former NFL wide receiver and father of current San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, among those who believe that a deal with wideout Brandon Aiyuk will eventually be reached. Skepticism remains, as the 49ers and their star player reportedly remain apart in their negotiations for a contract extension.

McCaffrey remains optimistic.


Aiyuk is slated to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option but seeks to become one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. The receiver is believed to want a deal similar to the recent one given to Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is set to earn approximately $30 million annually. The 49ers' last offer to Aiyuk was reportedly in the range of $26 million annually, indicating that there is still work to be done for the two sides to see eye to eye.

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McCaffrey joined SiriusXM NFL Radio and shared his belief that both sides want to stay together.

"It's not a matter of if they want him back or not. They do want him back," McCaffrey said. "They know that having him on the team gives them a better chance to win a Super Bowl."

McCaffrey speculates that if the 49ers weren't considered contenders, Aiyuk wouldn't have a good chance of landing a massive deal. However, after playing in the big game in February, San Francisco is once again the betting favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Most believe that if the 49ers hope to get to the Super Bowl again, Aiyuk needs to be suited up for the season.


"The 49ers really value him. They like him," McCaffrey continued. "He's part of their team. The guys on the team like him, the coaches like him. There's a monetary difference somewhere between 26, let's call it 27, and somewhere where he believes his ceiling is.

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"So this is strictly business. This has nothing to do with whether or not they want him on the team or not. Everybody wants him back on the team. It'll probably get done."

McCaffrey admits that for that to happen, neither side will likely be 100% happy with the final number. The 49ers and Aiyuk will have to compromise to come to an agreement, probably somewhere in the middle of each's comfort zone.

"He probably won't be super happy with the final number, and the 49ers are probably going to feel like they paid him more than what they should have, but they want him on the team," McCaffrey added. "And I really believe—I'm not talking to him—but I believe he wants to sign.

"And at some point, is a million dollars here or there on a $27 to $29 million contract [a big deal]? ... At some point, you just want to get onto the field and start playing, and I know that about him. He really just wants to be signed, sealed, and delivered, but there's still this posturing that's going on between him and the team."




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