Brandon Aiyuk wants to remain with 49ers, despite the stalemate

Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers’ star wide receiver, said that he would like to remain with the team this season in spite of the contract dispute.

Jun 29, 2024 02:47 PM

Jun 29, 2024, 10:47 AM ET

The star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk wants to remain with the San Francisco 49ers for the rest of the season, despite the contract dispute with the team.

Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract and told TMZ Sports on Friday at Los Angeles International Airport that he was ready to play with the 49ers, even though they had not yet agreed on an extension.

“For sure,” Aiyuk told TMZ Sports. “For sure!”

Aiyuk’s post on TikTok in this month added intrigue to the contract situation he has with the 49ers.

Aiyuk, a former Arizona State teammate, is seen in the video talking on FaceTime to Washington commanders QB Jayden Daniels.

Aiyuk says to Daniels: “They told me they didn’t want you back.”

Daniels replies, “That is it?”

Aiyuk swore, prompting Daniels shout “My boy!”

Aiyuk wrote, “I’m laughing but I’m crying for.” in the caption.

Aiyuk’s statement is not clear. Was he saying that the 49ers do not want him for the current season, or was he saying they don’t even want him after this season? This is because the 49ers are unwilling to give him a lucrative contract renewal?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported previously that the 49ers were in talks with Aiyuk, but they “have stalled a little bit.”

Aiyuk enters the final year on his rookie contract. He is expected to contribute $14.124 millions towards the salary cap for 2024. The wide receiver just finished a season that saw him catch 75 passes, gain 1,342 yards, and score seven touchdowns.

He did not participate in the 49ers offseason program, and he skipped the mandatory minicamp. For boycotting the team’s minicamp, he could face fines of more than $101,000.

Deebo Sam, 49ers wide receiver, said at the minicamp of the team that he had been in contact with Aiyuk regularly throughout the offseason and offered his assistance when necessary on how to handle the contract situation. Samuel signed a three-year contract extension with the 49ers for 2022. However, he did not sign it until he had demanded a deal due to the slowness of the negotiations. Aiyuk’s top advice was to be patient.