49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk reports for training camp amidst contract dispute

Jul 23, 2024, 10:59 AM | Updated: 12:14 pm

EAGAN, MN - AUGUST 18: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings at training camp at TCO Performance Center on August 18, 2022 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers saga has had a plethora of twists and turns, and the fruits day of 2024 training camp is no different.

Reports emerged Tuesday morning that the San Francisco 49ers’ star wide receiver has reported to training camp. This comes as a surprise to many, after the player formally requested a trade away from the team last week. However, after already making his point known for quite some time, Aiyuk feels it best to remain with his teammates at Levi’s Stadium for training camp, holding-in instead of holding out.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was first with the news.

#49ers star WR Brandon Aiyuk is reporting to training camp, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo, despite his desires for a new contract.

The team has not held extensive contract talks since May and because of that, Aiyuk has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/OsoviQOmBr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2024

“We’ve had great communication,” general manager Lynch said about contract talks with Aiyuk. “We started this really early. We made it a priority to try to get it done. We’ve had excellent communication throughout. Really don’t want to characterize [it], we haven’t been able to [complete the contract]. And that’s a shame. Brandon is a big part of our team, and we expect that he will be this year.”

Despite the player opting to hold-in with the team, there is no guarantee he will be on the practice field this week. In fact, it would be surprising if Aiyuk did practice without a new deal done.

Because while both sides want an agreement to get finalized, there are other options still available.

“Again, no absolutes there,” Lynch added on the Aiyuk situation. “We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward. Always open to listen to things,” Lynch said. “Like I said, we expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team like he has been, and excited about that.”

John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan reiterate that Brandon Aiyuk is a big part of the #49ers going forward.

However, they gave “no absolutes” that he will not be traded or that a deal will get done.

That was a key statement in the Nick Bosa talks last year. pic.twitter.com/Lc7JY0Tcl6
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) July 23, 2024

More on 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk, 26, has been in a contract saga with the Red & Gold since the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Rocklin native posted career numbers last season, making his first All-Pro team. He also finished first in yards per catch (18.3) in the NFL.

The 49ers have a history of getting deals done leading into training camp (Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa). Many signs had pointed to the same outcome occurring with Aiyuk and his agents this offseason.

Reports indicated a deal was near completion at the conclusion of April and May. But then things changed, with the WR market exploding around the 49ers. That, in turn, led to a change of heart by Aiyuk, seeking market value for his talents.

As of now, both sides are at an impasse, with the Red & Gold unwilling to meet their players’ demands.

Brandon Aiyuk is on the final year of his rookie contract, slated to make $14.1 million this year. He has already made his desires to be paid quite clear, holding out of mandatory minicamp this summer. Those fines reach an excess of $100,000, a tax that the player feels necessary to make his point.

The 49ers have been relucant to deal their wideout, seeing his as a core piece of the future. If SF wants to play hardball, they could franchise tag Aiyuk after this season, dragging out the process further.

But with training camp now underway, the only question that matters is if, or when, Aiyuk and the 49ers will agree to a new deal. Or, something else is on the horizon.