After several mysterious social media statements, 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk updated his position on his contract negotiations with San Francisco. Aiyuk told Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco's "Nightcap" podcast that he's grown as a person and player with the 49ers and should be paid appropriately.
"I'm just trying to get what I deserve," Aiyuk told Sharpe and Ochocinco. "This season of football helped me discover who I was as a person and player. My contributions to the table, locker room, and organization.
Just my value upon entering the building. I'll be followed because I've done it right since entering the building. I did it right from the first day I stepped in till this morning.
"If they don't value it, that's all. It's only that. Can't get in. We had pros on both sides. We hope to reach a professional deal and play football professionally." Aiyuk was named Second-Team All-Pro after a 2023 NFL season with 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns at 17.9 yards per catch.
Since being drafted in the first round (No. 25 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk has been a key part of San Francisco's offense, entering his 26th season in 2024. The All-Pro and franchise quarterback Brock Purdy have a special chemistry that has produced some of the 49ers' most explosive plays over the last two seasons.
Aiyuk is slated to play out the 2024 NFL season on a fifth-year option, but San Francisco has a history of contracting its elite players before the season.
General manager John Lynch told reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting on Monday that the 49ers would not trade Aiyuk and noted San Francisco's history of negotiating contracts with blue chip talent, which the All-Pro receiver has become after four years in the NFL.
“We have a good history of working with the guys we want to get done, and it takes two sides,” Lynch said of Aiyuk. We can do that? Will see." It can go several ways. However, we love Brandon as a player. We want him on the Niners, so we'll work toward that."
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