The San Francisco 49ers have a pretty significant issue to deal with this offseason in the form of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract extension negotiations.
He’s heading into the final year of his current contract, and losing him would be a huge blow to the team’s hopes of winning the Super Bowl championship.
The two sides haven’t gotten that close in negotiations yet, and per Ari Meirov, Aiyuk is taking those negotiations “personal,” and he was scheduled to meet with the organization on Monday.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk told @Realrclark25 that he’s been taking negotiations “personal” and the offers so far have affected him. Aiyuk’s first choice is to stay in San Francisco, but he is comfortable playing elsewhere if they are willing to trade him.
Aiyuk is meeting with the… pic.twitter.com/esaGp9EhYB
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 24, 2024
Aiyuk has become the 49ers’ top weapon in their passing game over the last couple of years, and in 2023, he recorded 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
The wide receiver market across the NFL has exploded, and that means they will have to open up their bank vault in order to keep him around.
They have arguably the most talented roster in the league, but keeping it’s core together will be challenging, as the league’s salary cap is very unforgiving.
Because of the fruitless extension talks with Aiyuk, there have been rumors that he could end up being traded, possibly this offseason, and if those rumors pan out, the 49ers will definitely not be the same team they have been.
Another option San Francisco may have is to eventually trade fellow wideout Deebo Samuel if they do manage to come to an agreement with Aiyuk in order to stay under the NFL’s hard salary cap.
Aiyuk, 26, just completed his fourth pro season and was the No. 25 pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Niners.
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