Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Friday, August 30th, 2024
Source: Aiyuk, 49ers agree to reported four-year, $120M contract
“Rapoport also reported that Aiyuk will receive $47 million between now and April 1, 2025.”
Brandon Aiyuk signs massive 4-year deal, ends saga [reports]
“The 49ers have some major decisions to face with the oldest roster in the NFL and Brock Purdy in for a contract extension that should pay him north of $55 million per year, but they opted to retain the 26-year-old receiver despite on- and off-field antics. Aiyuk, one of the young stars, can now serve as something of a bridge to the next era.”
Aiyuk’s extension finally gets done after 49ers turn up heat
“Some within the organization wondered if Aiyuk simply could not make a decision. The sides were apparently close to a new contract early in the offseason.
When those talks stalled, Aiyuk requested a trade. He was presented with the very real scenarios of going to some other team in a trade. All he had to do was accept the terms of the offer from another team, and his request would have been fulfilled.
Perhaps, Aiyuk had planned all along to remain with the 49ers but hold off on signing the deal until it was time to begin game-planning for the Week 1 game against the New York Jets.”
Source: Aiyuk agreed to 49ers’ contract offer on table since Aug. 12
“Aiyuk’s agent, Ryan Williams of Athletes First, disputed Schefter’s report, claiming it is “factually inaccurate.”
Report: 49ers would’ve traded Aiyuk only if they could find replacement
“Had the Broncos accepted the 49ers’ offer, San Francisco reportedly would have traded Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, in weirdest negotiation ever, get a very sensible deal (paywall)
“My guess is that this just was an unfortunate clash of styles and personalities, which is odd, since Aiyuk’s agent, Ryan Williams, is a friend and business associate of John Lynch. But remember when Aiyuk was in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse back in 2021 and nobody could really figure out why for several weeks? Aiyuk is a well-respected member of the 49ers’ locker room, but he also can be quite cryptic. Unlike his good friend Deebo Samuel, whose feelings are never cloaked, Aiyuk can be hard to read. Even for coaches.
But Aiyuk bounced back from that period and started playing his very best football for Shanahan and the 49ers. I suspect there will be a similar result after these months of strain. I also can guess there will be another episode like this somewhere down the road. It just seems to be a part of the Aiyuk-49ers story.”
“Mustapha, an avid film junkie who has studied the old playing tape of his general manager John Lynch and who recently met 49ers Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, has been particularly excited about this week’s new chance to work with Hufanga on the practice field.
“His communication is awesome,” Mustapha said in the locker room Thursday. “We only don’t play sound football when we’re not talking. The big thing is that being able to communicate at a high level is how we’re able to fly around and make plays, and with (Hufanga), he’s always over-talking. He’s always talking about who’s moving, what the offense is doing, how can it affect our defense, how can it affect our coverage.”
“Philosophically, the Niners want to reward their homegrown A-list players and openly acknowledge that they’d rather invest resources into skill position players who score touchdowns than, say, the offensive line. Both of which made re-signing Aiyuk of the utmost importance even if his price got a little higher than the Niners wanted to go.”