49ers, John Lynch intend on keeping Brandon Aiyuk long-term despite rumors
Feb 13, 2024, 2:31 PM | Updated: 2:51 pm
Michael Owens/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of offseason questions to answer, with one of the most important being the future of Brandon Aiyuk. But while decisions still need to be made, the Red & Gold want their star wideout to stay for the long haul.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch made it clear that the franchise wants to sign Brandon Aiyuk to a long-term deal in the near future. However, with the roster already up against the salary cap for next season, some financial finagling will need to be done to fit everyone under the bill.
As for the player himself, Lynch and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan couldn’t sing the praise enough of their homegrown product.
“He’s been a fantastic player for us. Kyle calls him a warrior all the time, the way he goes out, competes. You can see the passion, the production. We’re extremely prideful in what he’s become. Of course, we want a guy like Brandon Aiyuk to be part of us moving forward,” Lynch said about the future of the player.
Brandon Aiyuk, 25, is entering his fifth-year option with the 49ers, set for a cap hit of $14.1 million. 2023 was a breakout year for the Rocklin-born wide receiver, setting a year-high in yards (1,342) and yards per catch (17.9). He was named to his first All-Pro team for his efforts.
When asked about the upcoming offseason, Aiyuk was less than definitive he would be back with the team for 2024.
“If it’s the right move, yeah,” Aiyuk stated Tuesday.
When asked what the right move would be to stay a 49er, he was clear: Be a Super Bowl Champion.
Brandon Aiyuk clarifies recent social media posts and weighs in on his 49ers future pic.twitter.com/By4CU84DbR
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) February 13, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk was overcome with emotions shortly thereafter, wearing dark sunglasses to hide tears forming in his eyes when asked about the 2023 roster.
“Guys that came in and worked to be champions every single day,” Aiyuk said, holding back emotions.
He later was asked if this was the hardest loss of his NFL career, nodding his head in response.
Tuesday started with rumors that Aiyuk was looking elsewhere in the NFL for a new deal. His girlfriend posted a suspicious TikTok video stating this may be the last time they step foot on the field at Levi’s Stadium. Aiyuk’s brother and best friend posted an Instagram story with the caption “This is the exact reason why we leaving San Francisco.”
Brandon Aiyuk’s girlfriend and another close friend imply he might not be with the 49ers next season 👀
The 49ers picked up Aiyuk’s fifth-year option for 2024 last offseason at $14.12M pic.twitter.com/3cfiUXKatt
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 13, 2024
One possible destination for Brandon Aiyuk is the Las Vegas Raiders. Current coach Antonio Pierce was previously at Arizona State University with the wideout, forming a tight relationship. Additionally, top NFL QB prospect Jayden Daniels is seen as an option for the Raiders. Both Aiyuk and Daniels played with one another in college in 2019.
The 49ers have a plethora of offseason decisions to make, already on the books for $275 million in 2024. That number will need to be shrunken closer to $245 million, the expected salary cap of next season.
Brandon Aiyuk’s fifth-year option is expected to be the 10th-highest cap hit for next season.
#49ers top 10 cap hits in 2024 (via @spotrac)
1. Williams $31.5 mill
2. Deebo $28.6 mill
3. Armstead $28.3 mill
4. Warner: $24.4 mill
5. Kittle: $21.9 mill
6. Ward: $17.9 mill
7. Hargrave: $15.4 mill
8. Bosa: $14.6 mill ($42 mill by 2026)
9. CMC $14.1 mill
10. Aiyuk $14.1 mill— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) February 13, 2024
Key offseason dates for the San Francisco 49ers
- Tuesday, Feb. 20th – Teams can begin franchising players until Tuesday, March 5th
- Tuesday, Feb. 27 – NFL Combine begins
- Thursday, March 13 – The 2024 free agency signing period begins at 1 p.m. PST
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