George Kittle, 49ers give advice to Brandon Aiyuk amidst contract dispute this summer

Jul 27, 2024, 11:49 AM | Updated: 11:51 am

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 29: Deebo Samuel #19, Brandon Aiyuk #11 and Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers in the locker room before the NFC Championship playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the 49ers 31-7. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The 49ers and their players have walked through hell and back with one another for years now, both on the field and off it. So it’s not surprise that when a player, like Brandon Aiyuk, holds out for a massive contract extension, the rest of the team gets it.

That’s the sentiment shared by San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and others, speaking on the matter a bit during the first week of 2024 training camp. Of course Kittle wants his offensive counterpart with him on the field, but professional football has a business side to it. And like most business negotiations, talks can get dicey at times.

That’s exactly what’s occurred for Brandon Aiyuk, currently “holding in” at the 49ers’ facility as he awaits the front office to hand him the deal he believes he deserves. So far, that offer hasn’t come, as general manager John Lynch appears to be steadfast at a certain figure for Aiyuk’s services. Could that change as the season draws nearer? Potentially.

But for now, Aiyuk stays off the field, with his teammates fully understanding the magnitude of what’s at stake. And while talks can be infuriating, Kittle likens those discussions to pulling teeth: The pain is only temporary.

“I told Aiyuk the same thing that Richard Sherman told me. Contracts are like braces: They suck the entire time, once you get them off, you forget you ever had them,” Kittle said this week about his advice to his teammate.

George Kittle’s advice to Brandon Aiyuk regarding his contract extension is classic 😂

🎥: @KNBR

pic.twitter.com/Ul9xYt6A8i

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) July 23, 2024

Other players have shared similar sentiments to the star wideout, including the two stars that have dominated 49ers’ offseason contract talks the previous two years.

As great as Aiyuk is, Nick Bosa is in a different class of star player.

The 49ers’ All-Pro pass rusher took his contract talks into the first week of 2023 regular season. Inking a historic five-year, $170 million extension last year, Bosa stayed away from Levi’s Stadium until September to preserve his body. Unfortunately the prolonged negotiations impacted his preparation, with Bosa working into game-day shape the entire first half of the regular season.

Of course, every player and every contract is different. Bosa has not allude to regret over his handling of the situation, only offering advice to Brandon Aiyuk from his point of view.

“I talked to him early in the offseason, but not for a while,” Bosa stated this week. “It’s business, I think everybody understands that.”

A player’s plight that’s likely more beneficial to Aiyuk is that of Deebo Samuel.

Samuel officially requested a trade during the 2022 offseason, hellbent on getting the most out of his next deal after a career year in 2021. He’d sign a three-year, $73.5 million deal a few days after training camp began in late July.

Similar to Aiyuk, Samuel also held-in, wanting to avoid the daily fines of not reporting. Also akin to his WR partner, Samuel’s feelings got hurt by the 49ers’ front office. The stress of not getting a deal done prior to camp weighed heavy on the offensive weapon, affecting his entire season thereafter.

Now watching Aiyuk deal with similar struggles, Samuel feels for his teammate, hoping he stays the course and sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I know what it feels like to go through what he’s going through right now. Only thing I can tell him is to keep his head up, things are gonna work out…it’s a long process, it’s frustrating,” Samuel said Friday.

Deebo Samuel’s message to friend and teammate Brandon Aiyuk

“The only thing I can do is tell him to keep his head up, things are going to work out.” pic.twitter.com/RHGcD8Da3e

— KNBR (@KNBR) July 26, 2024

While an extension is not imminent for Brandon Aiyuk, his appearances at training camp have been a welcome sight for the 49ers Faithful. The star wideout was caught watching practice with John Lynch Thursday, standing side-by-side with one another for 20 minutes.

Still, it could be some time before a deal materializes, especially with left tackle Trent Williams holding out for a revised contract.