Aiyuk is set to earn $14.124 million in 2024 under a team-exercised fifth-year option, which is well below the market value for top receivers—a market that has surged this offseason. Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk's teammate and friend, empathizes with his situation, having navigated a similar process two years ago before securing his own new deal.
Samuel joined NFL Network's Omar Ruiz and David Carr after Monday's practice to discuss how he has supported Aiyuk during this challenging period and the advice he has extended.
"Overall, it's a tough situation," Samuel said. "Going through it in [2022], it's just some things you take personal that don't need to be taken personal. Overall, it's just a stressful process because, at the end of the day, you want what you think you deserve, and your team got to work with this team, and it's so much back-and-forth.
"It's just like sometimes it gets stressful because, at the end of the day, you want to be out here with your guys, and want to be out here practicing. But overall, you want what you deserve. So, at the end of the day, something has to give, something has to work out. But I feel like something's gonna happen, hopefully."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if having Aiyuk around during training camp, even if he's not practicing, is beneficial.
"I think it's good when any of these guys have the business part of the contracts going on and everything, I think it's always good to not get too far away from football," Shanahan said. "At least he can be with his teammates here, in meetings, get some work with the strength and conditioning coaches, things like that."
Shanahan added, "Hopefully, when things work out, it just makes it a little bit of a smoother transition."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Brandon Aiyuk blasts 49ers again: 'They mad because they stupid'
Brandon Aiyuk continues to make his frustrations with the San Francisco 49ers public. The wide receiver once again took to Instagram to voice his displeasure with the organization, stating the team regrets the contract extension it awarded him before the 2024 NFL season. "And... -
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk drama: What's really behind the receiver's frustration?
Forty Niner (eventually ex-Forty Niner) wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has recently taken to social media to express his displeasure with the organization, at times naming the team directly and at other times alluding to the team's management. In one, he called the powers-that-be... -
Brandon Aiyuk Revenge Game? Ranking the 49ers' 2026 Trap Games
Aiyuk's aggressive push toward Washington leads straight back to Levi's Stadium in Week 6—the marquee trap game on the 49ers' 2026 schedule. The NFL offseason's most-watched soap opera is building toward a Monday night in October. If Brandon Aiyuk's standoff with the Niners... -
Florio: Reporting to 49ers training camp could boost Brandon Aiyuk's leverage
The rift between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appears significant, with the receiver recently taking multiple public shots at the organization. The 49ers have already voided a portion of the guaranteed money in the four-year, $120 million contract...