Analyst Brian Baldinger recently critiqued Aiyuk, saying, "He looks pedestrian, and he's playing like he's pedestrian. You don't see the moves to separate. He just doesn't seem like the same person. He doesn't have any sort of swag about him at all right now. He just seems like a guy out there."
Despite the criticism, Aiyuk insists he's determined to regain his form and help his team rebound from their recent struggles. Fans are eager for him to step up, especially with key playmakers like running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel expected to continue missing time.
When asked how the offense would compensate for the absence of two stars, Aiyuk responded, "Just keep working, keep working, keep building."
Opposing teams are seemingly defending Aiyuk differently this season compared to 2023 when he had a breakout year with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 75 catches.
"[They're defending me] a little bit different," Aiyuk acknowledged. "They just know what we want to do, what we like to do, me and [QB Brock] Purdy, especially."
After Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Brock Purdy admitted that he and Brandon Aiyuk are still working to get on the same page after not practicing together during the offseason.
"Obviously, we're scheming stuff up to get him in a great position to win and get him the ball," Purdy said, "but defenses do a good job of scheming some stuff up, and they get me off the reads, and I go to other guys. That's just part of the game. That's the nature of it.
"But we're going to continue to get better and watch this as well so that we can both be on the same page. But I absolutely love B.A. He's working really hard right now, and I can tell you that we're going to continue to grow together."
When asked how he and Purdy plan to work through the defensive adjustments they are seeing, Aiyuk responded, "Practice today, trying to get in different spots, getting different looks. Yeah, working through that today."
Aiyuk admits the pressure to perform after signing his four-year, $120 million contract extension feels different from previous seasons. With several key players still sidelined, Aiyuk's ability to step up will be critical to the 49ers' success in the coming weeks.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling out about 10 weeks, Jake Tonges out for season
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers will place rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling on injured reserve after he suffered an ankle... -
49ers vs. Dolphins injury updates: Latest news from Week 2
The San Francisco 49ers are facing the Miami Dolphins in a Week 2 matchup at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Below are the latest in-game injury updates for the 49ers. This article will be updated in real time as new information becomes available. Players are... -
49ers use first-round pick on tight end in 2027 NFL mock draft
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle played 30 snaps last week against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. The All-Pro recorded two receptions for 12 yards on five targets in his return from an Achilles injury suffered in January. With just one week of NFL... -
49ers named trade fit for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. by ESPN insider
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the situation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has reached a tipping point, potentially opening the door for a trade involving the San Francisco 49ers. Fowler believes a Porter trade is realistic, and the cornerback...