Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will be the next 49ers player to get a paycheck after the contract drama involving Nick Bosa was finally resolved this past offseason. The 2020 NFL Draft first-round selection is riding high after his second straight 1,000-yard season with the 49ers and will be a key cog in San Francisco's Super Bowl LVIII machine against the Chiefs this Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
Regardless, the 49ers have picked up Aiyuk's fifth-year option, so he'll be guaranteed $14.1 million for the 2024 season. The best course of action would be to negotiate an extension that keeps the dynamic playmaker around for the long haul while lowering his cap hit.
At Wednesday's Super Bowl Radio Row in Las Vegas, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport told NBC Sports Bay Area's Laura Britt that San Francisco will win it all.
"I haven't [heard anything] yet, but I do think it's on the 49ers, right?" So Rapoport informed Britt. Talent from within the country is what you should be paying. Someone who, as you all recall, I had my doubts about how well this would all pan out when he initially arrived. Kyle Shanahan appeared to be less than enthusiastic.
Aiyuk has put in the time and effort necessary to become a top-tier NFL receiver. As we seen with the Nick Bosa deal this year, contracts are usually contentious. You should compensate these men, and I have faith the 49ers will in the end.
Since Bosa secured a rich extension—the fourth such agreement in the previous four years involving a notable 49ers player—many were thinking that Aiyuk would soon sign a new deal. However, San Francisco has a history of extending contracts to players once they've shown themselves, so if Aiyuk has another strong campaign in 2023, it may be a done deal.
The 25-year-old receiver followed up his 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022 with 75 grabs for 1,342 yards and seven scores in the 2023 regular season.
Along with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk has established himself as an offensive spark for the 49ers. Even though the wide receiver spent some time in Shanahan's ill-fated "doghouse," he is currently the head of the pack. It is quite probable that Rapoport's prediction will come true if Aiyuk and the 49ers win the Super Bowl and depart Las Vegas with the ring.
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