The contract saga between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has had plenty of twists and turns. There’s been more drama than on a daytime soap opera.
Aiyuk was noncommittal about his future with the 49ers during the locker-room cleanout a couple days after a 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. His response to reporters about remaining in San Francisco was “If that’s the right move.” When 49ers general manager John Lynch indicated at the NFL owners meeting in late March that talks to extend Aiyuk’s contract were ongoing, the 2020 first-round pick posted emojis on Instagram which seemingly translated to “Money talks, bullsh-t walks.” Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on social media shortly thereafter.
The 49ers selected wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at the end of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 31st overall pick. This increased speculation that either Aiyuk or fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel could be traded.
Aiyuk skipped offseason workouts and the mandatory minicamp held June 4-6. He subjected himself to a $101,716 fine for missing the entire three-day minicamp. Aiyuk subsequently claimed in a TikTok post where he was having a video chat with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, who was selected second overall in this year’s draft to quarterback the Washington Commanders, that the 49ers didn’t want him back.
Aiyuk’s camp requested a meeting with Lynch and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to clear the air during the latter part of June. The meeting reportedly went well.
Any goodwill from the meeting was short-lived. Aiyuk’s frustration with his contract situation reached a boiling point last week as he requested a trade. The 49ers didn’t waste any time in publicly stating that Aiyuk isn’t on the trading block.
Aiyuk reported to the opening of training camp on July 23 rather than hold out. By showing up for training…
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