By all accounts, the San Francisco 49ers have one of the best rosters in the NFL, particularly on offense. They boast multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro players on that side of the ball, including quarterback Brock Purdy who has gone from being Mr. Irrelevant (the final pick in the NFL Draft) to the unquestioned starter of the defending NFC Champions.
In addition to Purdy, the 49ers have arguably the best running back in the NFL, Christian McCaffrey. They also boast wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, along with tight end George Kittle.
As of right now, all of these players are under contract for 2024. The hope, of course, is that they can make another run back to the Super Bowl and win it for the first time since 1995.
However, a time is coming (and soon) where they will need to decide which players to pay and which ones to let go.
San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Wants to Be Paid Now
The 49ers’ current situation with Aiyuk, who was a Second Team All-Pro selection last season, may force San Francisco to make a few of those decisions sooner rather than later.
Aiyuk wants to be paid $30 million per year while the 49ers have offered as much as $26 million per season. The basis for his contract demands is the four-year $120 million contract that the Detroit Lions gave to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Based on their seasons last year, though, it is easy to see why the 49ers do not want to pay him that much:
| Brandon Aiyuk | Amon-Ra St. Brown | |
| Receptions | 75 | 119 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,342 | 1,515 |
| Touchdowns | 7 | 10 |
St. Brown also has better numbers throughout the course of their respective careers despite having played one less season:
| Brandon Aiyuk | Amon-Ra St. Brown | |
| Receptions | 269 | 315 |
| Receiving Yards | 3,931 | 3,588 |
| Touchdowns | 25 | 21 |
Breaking it down by season, Aiyuk averages 67 receptions, 982 yards, and 6.5 touchdowns per season. St. Brown, on the other hand, averages 105 receptions, 1,196 yards, and seven touchdowns per season.
There is no arguing that Aiyuk is a great wide receiver and deserves to be paid. However, there is also a very clear argument that he is not worth $30 million a year right now.
If he continues to hold out for that number, one 49ers insider believes his days in the Bay Area are numbered.
San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Will Be Traded if Not Signed to a Contract Extension
Earlier this week, 49ers insider Matt Maiocco, who cover the team for CBS Bay Area, said on “The Red and Bold” radio show:
“This year, I can see where they have to make a decision, and I think it’s a logical and reasonable decision that they could make that, ‘Hey, instead of re-signing Aiyuk for this number, let’s re-sign these guys, multiple guys, and let Aiyuk walk now.’ And then, what I would see is the 49ers would then, again, if they don’t get this multi-year extension done with [Aiyuk], they would franchise him at the end of the season and probably trade him at that point.”
As mentioned previously, the 49ers have a lot of great talent on offense right now. Soon, they will need to decide which players to sign and which ones to let go. Aiyuk’s contract demands are making at least one of those decisions very easy for them right now.
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