49ers Brandon Aiyuk gives honest evaluation of subpar Week 1 performance

Sep 12, 2024, 6:00 AM

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs a route against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium on September 09, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season went according to plan for the 49ers as a whole. But for Brandon Aiyuk, he’ll admit it could have been a better showing individually.

The San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver had a modest performance against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. After missing all of training camp and preseason due to a contentious contract standoff, Aiyuk had two catches for 28 receiving yards on five targets. Only returning to practice last week, the Rocklin native was understandably rusty, logging only 60% of the offensive snaps Week 1. But the biggest blunder was on a dime from quarterback Brock Purdy, finding B.A. in the right corner of the endzone near the end of the first half.

Unfortunately, he dropped it, with the ball slipping through his hands on the would-be diving TD reception.

Thankfully, his teammates carried the load against the Jets, scoring on eight consecutive drives. But that doesn’t excuse the one-time All-Pro, with even he admitting Week 1 didn’t feel right on the field.

“After the game, I didn’t watch the film until this morning,” Brandon Aiyuk said Wednesday. “I was a little discouraged to watch it. But it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”

Aiyuk said he didn’t watch film till the next morning 🫣 pic.twitter.com/JNd8jGXhVS

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 11, 2024

Expectations can be a burden for many. Going from junior college standout to a $100-million-plus NFL superstar comes with a whole new set of challenges. But, that’s the cross B.A. bears now, inking a 4-year, $120 million extension at the end of August.

Week 1 won’t be the end-all-be-all though, Aiyuk will work his way into game-day shape as the season goes along. And likely sooner than later, staying around the 49ers’ facility during his hold-in in order to not skip a beat.

While it’s not as easy as show up and show out sometimes, Aiyuk’s conditioning never changed, with the 49ers confident he’ll be back to his best self in no time.

“I thought he did a good job. He never felt like he wasn’t conditioned. We rotated him more than usual, which definitely helped,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said about the wideout’s Week 1 performance Wednesday. “I haven’t gotten to talk to him yet today, but I’m sure he was sore and stuff from it. But no, the conditioning, everything, was no factor.”

But by the player’s demeanor, you can tell he expected more from his debut performance after signing a massive extension. And the one play he really wants back, is the one in the endzone, making it the second time Aiyuk has foiled a massive throw from Purdy in the right corner.

“It was a dime,” Aiyuk said regarding Purdy’s pass postgame.

Nevertheless, the NFL is an ever-moving industry. There’s no time to stay in the past, only looking towards the future. That’s what Brandon Aiyuk will do as well, solely focused on putting his best foot forward for Week 2 at the Minnesota Vikings.

And if you know the Rocklin, CA native; He loves to be counted out.

“We got a short week this week, so it’s being deliberate today and tomorrow and leading all the way up to the game,” he added.