Brandon Aiyuk named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Sep 13, 2023, 9:39 AM

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs up the f...

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

One week into the 2023 NFL season, Brandon Aiyuk is already making his mark.

The NFL named the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday following the 25-year-old’s explosive season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aiyuk racked up a career-high 129 yards on eight receptions while pulling in two touchdown catches during San Francisco’s 30-7 route at Acrisure Stadium.

Have a week BA! @THE2ERA is the NFC Offensive Player of the Week 🚀

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 13, 2023

There was likely to be a 49ers player who would garner NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1, and it went to Aiyuk over teammate Christian McCaffrey, who posted 152 yards rushing and a touchdown. Aiyuk had a career-high 129 yards receiving on eight catches and hauled in two touchdowns.

Both of Aiyuk’s scoring grabs came in the first half, buoying the 49ers to a 20-0 lead that turned into a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

NFL.com – September 13, 2023

Heading into Sunday’s season-opener in Pittsburgh, all eyes were on Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson after the veteran said that he would end up with an interception on one of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s passes.

Instead of pulling in a pick, Peterson had a tough time covering Aiyuk during what would end up being the fourth-year wide receiver’s best game of his young career.

“I said earlier after the game, I’ve got to know Pat a little bit now,” Aiyuk said of his matchup against Peterson during an interview on KNBR 680’s Murph & Mac on Tuesday.

“Seen him three, four times. Got to practice with them, played him a couple times. But just knowing the player that he is, I definitely, definitely enjoy scoring on him. That’s all it was. Nothing that he said. He’s just talking. He’s a vet, he knows how to say things.

“His goal was maybe trying to get in Purdy’s head or maybe getting to Kyle, who knows? Or maybe just speaking a pick for himself into existence, who knows? But Pat’s a great competitor and we love playing against Pat.”

Back in June, Aiyuk shared that he had high expectations for his 2023 season after finishing 2022 with career-highs in touchdowns (8), receiving yards (1,015), and receptions (78).

“I’m about to take off,” Aiyuk said in June during OTA’s. “That’s it.”

Although it’s only been one game, Aiyuk appears to be on track for another big season for the red and gold as the 49ers continue their push for the franchise’s first Super Bowl title since 1995.