Teams hoped to pluck away Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers, who instead are planning to commit to the wide receiver for another season.
According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, 49ers general manager John Lynch said they intend on using the fifth-year option on Aiyuk, which would keep him under contract through 2024.
“It probably makes sense to do that,” Lynch said. “We’re excited about watching Brandon move forward with us.”
Wagoner said San Francisco received trade interest in Ayiuk, but the defending NFC West champions plan to keep him.
Although nobody is shocked to learn of the team’s expected decision, they wondered about Aiyuk’s long-term future with the 49ers.
“Brandon Aiyuk was one of ten players from the 2020 NFL Draft who didn’t make a Pro Bowl but qualified for an option escalator through the playtime criteria,” NFL cap analyst Neer Ray noted.
“His fifth-year option will come in at $14,124,000.”
Brandon Aiyuk was one of ten players from the 2020 NFL Draft who didn’t make a Pro Bowl but qualified for an option escalator through the playtime criteria.
His fifth-year option will come in at $14,124,000 https://t.co/9RoQyGMZG7
— Neer Ray (@NeerRayNFL) March 27, 2023
“Makes a lot of sense!” a fan said.
Makes a lot of sense! https://t.co/ygfy9wMcT8
— Kyle Stanfel (@KStanfel) March 27, 2023
“I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone,” another fan wrote. “Not sure they pay him $$ to stay after his fifth year. But he’s got two more years in SF for sure.”
Yea I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone. Not sure they pay him $$ to stay after his 5th year. But he’s got 2 more years in sf for sure. https://t.co/A3E6PYCQgS
— Arpan Bajaj (@RPun) March 27, 2023
“I wouldn’t be shocked if he is traded next offseason,” a fan speculated.
I wouldn’t be shocked if he is traded next offseason. https://t.co/QL2Ez1gyYG
— Boorish (@Boorish_Sports) March 27, 2023
Aiyuk set career highs across the board when catching 78 of 114 targets for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Lynch understandably wants to retain the 25-year-old receiver as long as he can, but it’ll be difficult to give him a lucrative long-term deal after extending Deebo Samuel last offseason.
For now, Aiyuk remains part of a potent group of skill-position players also featuring Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.