Catcher Brandon Aiyuk did not report to the San Francisco 49ers organized team activities (OTA) last week, which was expected as the two sides are navigating a contract dispute.
Aiyuk and the 49ers are reportedly not close to agreeing to a contract extension. according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. That has led to speculation that the fourth-year receiver will request a trade if he can’t get the deal he wants. However, Aiyuk’s agent says the receiver has not asked to leave of San Francisco, despite unfollowing the team on social media.
However, another contract recently signed by a fellow NFL receiver could have provided the figure Aiyuk and his representation want in a new deal. Just before the NFL Draft, Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Detroit Lions that included $77 million in guaranteed money. That apparently set the bar Aiyuk wants to reach. according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“(Aiyuk) doesn’t need to be the highest paid in the league,” Fowler reported on “NFL Live,” “but he’s done enough and accomplished enough in that offense, so he’ll probably need to be at that number or higher.” . “.
While that sets a number to work from, the disparity in statistics between Aiyuk and St. Brown will likely be a sticking point for the 49ers in negotiations.
Last season, St. Brown compiled 119 receptions (on 164 targets) for 1,515 yards, 10 touchdowns and 75 first downs. Aiyuk caught 75 passes (on 105 targets) for 1,342 yards, seven touchdowns and 61 first downs.
However, Aiyuk can point to an offense that also includes George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey as a big reason he received 59 fewer targets. Despite not appearing as a St. Brown, he still led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards.
Aiyuk will earn $14.1 million on his fifth-year option for the 2024-25 season. according to Spotrac. That’s below the $30 million average annual salary St. Brown will receive under his new deal. But St. Brown was also two years away from free agency and will make $4.9 million by 2024-25 of his original rookie contract.
AJ Brown receives the highest annual salary among receivers at $32 million with the $96 million extension he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Behind him are St. Brown and Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins, according to About the cap.
Is that where Aiyuk wants his salary to be? Do the 49ers feel he is as valuable to their offense as the other three, especially with other talented stars to pay, particularly quarterback Brock Purdy? The team is also projected to be $23.9 million over the cap in 2025.
Those questions present the negotiating limbo Aiyuk and the 49ers currently find themselves in.