Many expected the disgruntled wide receiver to stay away as he continues to campaign for a contract extension. Aiyuk officially requested a trade last week after contract negotiations failed to progress to his satisfaction.
Aiyuk skipped the 49ers' mandatory minicamp last week, incurring approximately $100,000 in fines. Missing training camp days would have added to that number.
Aiyuk's presence doesn't necessarily mean he will participate in practices. Simply reporting and rejoining his teammates is enough to avoid further fines—for now.
Aiyuk is currently scheduled to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on a team-exercised fifth-year option, well below the current wide receiver market value, which surged this offseason. Four NFL receivers now have contracts that pay at least $30 million annually, and Aiyuk likely wants to join that group.
San Francisco drafted Aiyuk out of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020. In 16 starts with the 49ers last season, he recorded 75 receptions for a career-high and team-leading 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.
Aiyuk surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first 49ers wide receiver to do so since Anquan Boldin in 2013 and 2014, and the first 49ers player to accomplish the feat since tight end George Kittle in 2018 and 2019.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Brock Purdy may have a request for Mac Jones, explains sideline arm brace
Last year, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy surprised his offensive linemen with Toyota vehicles—an extravagant gesture considering he had not yet signed his lucrative contract extension. Of course, Purdy was an endorsement partner for Toyota at the time, meaning... -
NFL insider links 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to Commanders
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may be nearing the end of his tenure in the Bay Area. That became a growing assumption after news broke of the team voiding his 2026 guaranteed salary—a move that still hasn't been fully explained. However, ESPN reported that... -
49ers great Steve Young doesn't mince words on 'terrible' Brandon Aiyuk drama
As if the injury-plagued 2025 campaign weren't difficult enough, the San Francisco 49ers are now navigating a troubling Brandon Aiyuk situation. The wide receiver continues to rehab from the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered last season. While there was once optimism he could... -
49ers' John Lynch addresses futures of Brandon Aiyuk and Mac Jones
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined The TK Show with Tim Kawakami and discussed the futures of two key players—Brandon Aiyuk and Mac Jones. Recent reporting revealed that the 49ers voided Aiyuk's guaranteed money for 2026, a move many viewed as signaling an...