Report: Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers expected to work on contract extension after free agency
Mar 4, 2024, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:31 am
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Brandon Aiyuk saga continues for the 49ers as they look to reset for the 2024 season after a heartbreaking end in Super Bowl LVIII. And while conflicting reports have emerged since last month, most signs point to both sides working on a new deal in the near future.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport discussed the latest chatter surrounding the San Francisco 49ers’ star wide receiver at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend. In his report, he indicated that both the 49ers and Aiyuk are looking to complete a long-term contract extension. But with the team already up against the salary cap, those discussions will likely come after free agency this month.
The #49ers are expected to work on a contract extension for Brandon Aiyuk after free agency, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/L852Y3tkxN
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) March 3, 2024
“My understanding is, obviously there are teams who would like to trade for the very, very talented young receiver. The 49ers firmly believe he is in their plans. I would expect them to get to work on a new deal for him, probably after free agency,” Rapoport said about Brandon Aiyuk.
The Rocklin native is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, set to make $14.1 million in 2024. Aiyuk is coming off his best season in 2023, making his first All-Pro selection. He finished the regular season with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 75 catches.
He ranked first amongst WRs with a whopping 17.9 yards per reception, showing his elite run-after-the-catch abilities.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has hinted at working with Aiyuk and his agency on a new deal with the 49ers. San Francisco has been known to reward homegrown talents in recent years, with “BA” falling in that same category after a productive 2023 season.
“We’ve got a nice track record of extending players that are important to us and Brandon [Aiyuk]’s a guy that we want to keep around for a long time,” Lynch said last week.
But already pressed against the 2024 salary cap, SF will have to do some financial finagling to keep its core intact.
“The 49ers would like to get Brandon Aiyuk’s contract extended, but he’s also a trade candidate if they can’t get something done,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported recently.
This is relevant to the 49ers' situation with Brandon Aiyuk. Here is the new top-5 list of WR contracts by average per year (APY):
1. Tyreek Hill: $30m
2. Davante Adams: $28m
3. Cooper Kupp: $26.7m
4. Mike Evans: $26m
5. A.J. Brown: $25mDeebo Samuel is #8 at $23.9m https://t.co/4MUtryx6Un
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 4, 2024
Key offseason dates for the San Francisco 49ers
- Monday, March 11th – 2024 NFL free agency contract talks begins at 9 a.m. PST
- Wednesday, March 13th – 2024 free agency signing period begins at 1 p.m. PST
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