Shanahan looking to get Brandon Aiyuk extension done ‘sooner than later’

Mar 27, 2024, 12:30 PM | Updated: 1:30 pm

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Amidst all the speculation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk and his future with the 49ers, the latter has remained firm in wanting a long-term extension to get done.

This sentiment was echoed further by San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan this week. Speaking to the media at the NFL Annual Meeting, Shanahan reiterated his desire to have the star wide receiver on the Red & Gold long-term. The coach stated that he and the 49ers have remained in contact with Aiyuk’s camp this offseason, even running into him on vacation in Cabo.

And while negotiations will be a battle for both sides, the hope is to strike a deal before the end of summer.

“BA is doing good,” Shanahan said about his star receiver. “Hopefully we’ll get this done sooner than later.”

The latest from Kyle Shanahan on Brandon Aiyuk 🤲🏼#49ers || #FTTB
Via: @nwagoner pic.twitter.com/OIDaufZlDx
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) March 26, 2024

Brandon Aiyuk is in line to receive a massive contract extension this offseason. Since the Super Bowl LVIII loss, the player has shown his displeasure by hinting at other places he could play if a deal doesn’t come to fruition in SF.

Ultimately, it comes down to the 49ers’ brass giving him the bag, with an excess of $25 million annually on the table for Aiyuk. But the Red & Gold won’t rush, knowing BA is entering his fifth-year option with the club.

The 49ers appear comfortable with him playing on the option. However, getting a deal done is imperative for not only the success of the player but also for their quarterback, Brock Purdy.

“It’s huge. I mean it’s hard to be a successful quarterback if you don’t have real good receivers and so it starts there with Brandon and I think it’s real big for Brock and his future, making sure we’ve got a good group for him going forward,” Shanahan stated.

Aiyuk and Purdy have had a rapport since the latter for to the league, becoming his No.1 target in training camp. That partnership has only grown since then, with Aiyuk and Purdy both receiving accolades for their 2023 performances.

Getting a new deal done is a different story, but one that the 49ers’ brass has a history of doing with homegrown A-Listers.

“We have a good history of working with the guys we want to get done to get something done, and it takes two sides. So, can we do that? We’ll see,” John Lynch said about Aiyuk contract talks. “There’s a number of different directions that it could go, but we appreciate the heck out of Brandon and who he is as a player. We want him to be a part of the Niners, so we’re going to work towards making that a reality.”

And as far as trade speculation, Lynch squashed that this week.

“I promise you, nothing’s going on there,” he stated.

Brandon Aiyuk has been less receptive to recent comments by Shanahan and Lynch, responding to them with a cryptic Instagram post using emojis.

Ocho Cinco nailed the interpretation of Aiyuk’s emoji message 👀 pic.twitter.com/dzqtqWyc5E
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March 27, 2024

Brandon Aiyuk, 26, is coming off his best season in the NFL. He finished 2023 with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games played. The Rocklin, CA native recorded the highest yards per catch in the NFL last season (17.9) on only 75 receptions. He made the All-Pro team for his play.