SANTA CLARA – Brandon Aiyuk is going from No. 1 wide receiver to No. 1 offseason priority for the 49ers.
Six months from now, Aiyuk should have a contract extension in hand, the latest edition of the 49ers’ annual payout for a homegrown star.
Until then, things could get tense, social media posts could get curious, and feelings could get hurt.
Aiyuk’s career-best season did not end with the result he envisioned: a 25-22 overtime loss in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
It did not end with the production he wanted: three catches for 49 yards on six targets, none of which came as he broke free toward the end zone as Brock Purdy’s final pass fell incomplete toward Jauan Jennings in overtime, setting up a field goal that would prove not enough to thwart Patrick Mahomes’ and the Chiefs’ ensuing touchdown drive for their third championship in five years.
Aiyuk wasn’t one on the 2019 team that lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. He looked absolutely crushed Tuesday, two days after their Super Bowl LVIII defeat.
He struggled to speak in front of his locker. His right hand gripped a football autographed by teammates. His black sunglasses hid his misty eyes. Complementing the look were a black sweatshirt and a trapper ski hat.
Asked if he hoped to remain with the 49ers, AIyuk replied: “If that’s the right move, yeah.” What would make it right? “A championship.”
He played a huge role in delivering the NFC Championship, making a 51-yard catch to spark their comeback over the Detroit Lions in the conference finale. He has made several other big plays since being drafted in the 2020 first round (No. 25 overall) out of Arizona State, by way of Sierra College (the franchise’s training camp home in their 1980-90s heydays).
This season, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection and an AP Second-Team All-Pro nod after producing a career-high 1,342 yards and the NFL’s second-best average with 17.9 yards per catch.
Last spring, the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, setting him up to make $14.1 million in 2024. The typical move in such situations is to not step foot on a field until an extension is in place, and while that is a reasonable business practice, missing the offseason program would hinder Aiyuk’s chance to develop better chemistry with Purdy, who’ll be participating as a healthy starter for the first time.
Hammering out a new contract is the greatest challenge that awaits the 49ers’ front office this offseason, which has annually accomplished such feats: Arik Armstead (2020), George Kittle (2020), Fred Warner (2021), Kyle Juszczyk (2021), Trent Williams (2021), Samuel (2022), and, Nick Bosa (2023).
“It’s all one big puzzle,” general manager John Lynch said. “We’ve developed a good cadence over the years, Kyle and I, where he focuses on the season. We do all the planning and then we present things to him and we work through it. That’s what we’ll continue to do.
“But of course you want a guy like Brandon Aiyuk to be a part of you going forward.”
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) reaches to catch a deflected pass in the third quarter of their NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Detroit Lions 34-31. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group
On Wednesday, Aiyuk reshared an Instagram post in which he has his back to the camera, captioned: “I guess we gone see.”
The going rate for a top-tier wide receiver is between $23 million annually and the $30 million Tyreek Hill commands from the Miami Dolphins at the top of the pay scale.
The thing is, Aiyuk’s teammate, Deebo Samuel, is making $23.9 million annually as part of the deal (three years, $71.1 million) he wrestled from the 49ers after a contentious 2022 offseason, complete with a trade request and a brief holdout into training camp.
Samuel is due a $21 million salary next season, with a $28.6 million charge on the salary cap. Tight end George Kittle has a $13.4 million salary ($22 million cap charge). Running back Christian McCaffrey checks in at $11.8 million salary ($14.1 million cap number).
Those are pricey numbers for elite skill-position players. Don’t forget about left tackle Trent Williams ($20 million salary) and fullback Kyle Juszczyk ($5.8 million).
Your team is comprised of guys, veterans who’ve been paid very well, of guys who want to be paid very well,” Lynch said. “We’ve got one guy on our team who is pretty prominent who can’t be paid real well right now because the CBA doesn’t allow.”
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Lynch is referencing the fact that under NFL rules, Purdy’s rookie contract can’t be touched until next offseason, so he will make $985,000 in base salary in 2024.
While relatives and friends have dropped other social media hints that Aiyuk’s future with the 49ers is no lock, it seems a long shot they wouldn’t retain his services. But that also seemed the case four years ago with defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick so they could divert money to others, including fellow defenders Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward.
Among those slated to hit free agency next month: defensive ends Chase Young and Clelin Ferrell, safety Tashaun Gipson, linebacker Oren Burks, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, guard Jon Feliciano, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, and tight ends Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley; wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a restricted free agent.
“Brandon’s been a fantastic player for us,” Lynch added. “Kyle calls him a warrior all the time because of the way he goes out and competes. That shines through. Anybody, whether you’re a trained eye or whether you’re a fan, you can see the passion he plays with. You can see the production that he’s had.
“We’re extremely prideful in what he’s become and he should be as well.”
That pride was on full display Tuesday when he praised how his teammates work every day “to be champions.”
“I’m super proud of Brandon. His growth and development as a player and a teammate has been so amazing to see,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “I saw something in him early, and I knew I wanted to see it brought out of him, and that’s why I pushed him.
“I’m not saying I made Brandon who he is. Brandon made who Brandon is,” Warner added. “He’s just getting started. That’s the scary part for the league.”
