Brandon Aiyuk is looking to approach the top of the WR market on his next deal. The 49ers wide receiver is eyeing Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s recent extension with the Lions, and Aiyuk is hoping to sign a new deal “at that number or higher,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com).
[RELATED: Brandon Aiyuk Skipping OTAs]
Both St. Brown and Eagles wideout A.J. Brown helped to reset the receiver market this offseason. St. Brown inked a four-year, $120MM extension with the Lions that included $77MM in guaranteed money. While Brown’s contract with Philly was for only three years, he still managed to put himself atop the position in AAV ($32MM) and total guarantees ($84MM).
At the very least, it sounds like Aiyuk is hoping to approach a $30MM AAV, a mark also reached by Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill. Aiyuk is currently tied to a $14.12MM fifth-year option salary, and he’d be attached to a projected $24.7MM salary in 2025 if he’s hit with the franchise tag next offseason (h/t to OverTheCap).
While the 49ers don’t necessarily have to extend Aiyuk to retain him beyond the 2024 season, it’s uncertain if even that franchise-tag value would be untenable. The team is currently projected to be more than $38MM over the cap next season, and the front office has already committed big money at the position to Deebo Samuel.
Aiyuk is currently following Samuel’s strategy from 2023, as the receiver is skipping OTAs as he pursues a new deal. There were whispers that the 49ers were shopping both of their receivers ahead of the draft, and until Aiyuk signs a new deal, he’ll continue to be mentioned among trade candidates. The 49ers may have been preparing for a potential Aiyuk divorce during the draft. The team used a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall, adding the Florida product to what was already one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. The 49ers are also rostering Jauan Jennings and fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing,
Is Aiyuk really going to command the Browns types contracts? He hasn’t really played at their level, but I don’t get to watch many 49rs games either
He easily is. There’s few in the league who are better pure X receivers in the league. Volume just isnt there because they’re run heavy and stacked at the skill positions. He’s more integral to the offense than Deebo is at this point.
Yeah when you have the best RB in the game the recievers numbers are going to take a hit, good point…. I wouldn’t say he is more integral than Deebo however, they lost and/or scored way less when Deebo wasn’t on the field last season. Maybe this upcoming season, but definitely not last season
Yeah but look at the season when he didn’t have Deebo. He needs help or he will be way overpaid
take a look at the top 15 WR in the league last year. Brandon Aiyuk and Nico Collins were easily the most productive WR’s in the league with the amount of targets they received compared to the other 13. If you give Aiyuk the same amount of targets that CeeDee Lamb had, Aiyuk could have been over 2,300 yards.
Good player – but not an elite player. The 49ers should let someone else overpay him.
He was actually one of the more productive WR in the league. Look at the targets he received compared to everyone else. He was 7th in yards but was 36th in targets. Add his blocking skills and yes, he is elite. Pay him 28-29 million now before it gets out of hand.
He is much better then his stats. The talent is real, but the SF offense had so many options to succeed that he wasn’t ever featured. SF had some of the lowest pass attempts last year and yet he still got 1300 yards. Give him 140-150 targets and he will be a monster
And not to mention he’s one of the best blocking receivers in the league
The man is gonna get a big bag of cash
They’ll extend him and cut Deebo next off-season
I agree. Deebo has a hard time staying healthy
Yep, I also think Deebo will be post June 1st cut/trade and they will have to do something with Trent Williams contract as well.
Hard to fault J Lynch for the rosters he’s built since taking the GM job in SF. But as an outsider, it seems like a weird WR room vibe. I agree, he doesn’t need 2 $30m WR’s, so the draft pick makes sense. However, time to get some capital back from one of the vets seems like the right play.
As a point of clarification, Lynch handles the defense and Shanahan does the offense.
Also, Shanahan changes his offense every year and a half or so, and always showcases/utilizes whoever is in a contract year. Once paid, guys are expected to sacrifice stats and usage for winning. It’s how they stay ahead of the league.
Serious Questions for you.
If Shanahan showcases players in a walk year…doesn’t that drive up their supposed value and make it harder to resign?
“Stay ahead of the league” would require winning a Super Bowl or two, wouldn’t it?
Don’t get me wrong…I think John Lynch has done a good job building this team with a few well documented blunders along the way and I do enjoy watching them play but I’m at a loss to understand your mind set with those comments.
It’s not going to happen… but man, would I love to see Aiyuk in a Steeler uniform. I just think it could be a perfect match of need, opportunity and talent.
Until proven otherwise, I assume every player in SF’s offense is a product of that offense…except maybe Samuel.
If SF doesn’t want to pay him, they likely view him the same way.
It’s a bit scary to think of the salary Jerry Rice would be commanding if he was playing in today’s WR market.
*Dr Evil voice*
One million dollars!