Kyle Shanahan says Brandon Aiyuk missing from minicamp due to contract dispute

Jun 4, 2024, 2:36 PM

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers walks onto the field against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL wild-card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Day 1 of the 49ers 2024 minicamp was filled with both excitement and anguish for Kyle Shanahan. But as usual, the head honcho of one of the biggest football franchises chooses to only focus on the guys who are in the building.

That has been the running sentiment for the San Francisco 49ers head coach since he arrived in 2017. Like every offseason in The Bay, some bumpy roads can be expected. The same can be said for right now, celebrating one offensive weapon inking a new deal, while the other is M.I.A. as of now.

Of course, this is in reference to Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk.

The former just inked a two-year contract extension worth $38 million Tuesday morning, locking him in through he 2027 season. McCaffrey has been a workhorse since being traded to the 49ers midseason 2022, accumulating nearly 4,000 total yards and 39 total touchdowns in 22 games played.

CMC’s current deal had two years remaining, but no guaranteed money. Both problems have been corrected, resetting the RB market in the process while adding $24 million in secure money.

The deal takes McCaffrey up to age 31, typically a marker of slowed production at the position. SF has no trepidations however, committed to their star below for the long haul.

“He’s almost the biggest overachiever I’ve been around in my life, in terms of how obsessive he is with every little thing,” Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday about McCaffrey. “Christian’s always gonna be a good football player, until he decides not to be, and we’re not really concerned about that with his type of personality.”

“We’ve got to protect Christian from himself.”

Shanahan on CMC’s usage this season pic.twitter.com/UXn75Jkz6z

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) June 4, 2024

But while one deal is done for Kyle Shanahan, another saga is still in play.

Brandon Aiyuk was one of two players not in attendance for the Red & Gold Tuesday.

Aiyuk, 26, has been eyeing a long-term contract this summer as well, one that puts him near the top of the wide-receiver market. So far, talks have been stagnant, with several of his counterparts getting paid from other NFL teams.

Because of that, Aiyuk is staying away from the 49ers’ facility, and will likely have to pay the full three-day fine in excess of $104,000. A hefty price to pay, but not if Aiyuk believes he’ll get what he’s worth in the near future.

As for how the 49ers feel? Business decisions and talks will continue as usual, whether the wideout is in the building or not.

“To me it don’t change at all,” Shanahan stated. “Some guys come because they want to avoid the fine, and some don’t. But regardless, doesn’t change anything. We know what the process is, we know what the business part is, that’s just how they decide how they want to handle this.”

Q: Does your view change on Brandon Aiyuk and his status with the team now that [minicamp] is mandatory and he’s not here?

Shanahan: “To me it doesn’t change at all … some guys come because they want to avoid a fine and some don’t.” pic.twitter.com/S3Raw2hZx2

— KNBR (@KNBR) June 4, 2024

The San Francisco 49ers have already started planning for the future, meaning past this current core of players.

That included parting ways with long-time captain Arik Armstead, allowing him to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal in March. But patience is a virtue, with the 49ers now armed with nearly $25 million in salary-cap funds to add for the immediate or future.

One of those expenditures will be quarterback Brock Purdy, set to begin contract talks after the 2024 season. Other key players are also in mind, including both starting cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.

Will the 49ers be able to pay everybody? Most likely not. But all cards are on the table.

“There isn’t any anybody that’s going to be a free agent [on the 49ers], that we don’t want [here]. We got some good players, built a good roster. You can’t keep everybody around, but the guys that you’re asking about, they’re as much on our minds as anyone,” the coach said.