Report: Brandon Aiyuk expected to miss 49ers OTAs amidst contract dispute

May 21, 2024, 12:07 PM | Updated: 12:12 pm

Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle from Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

(Norm Hall/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The start of 49ers OTAs this week comes with big decisions and more dominoes to fall, with Brandon Aiyuk being the first to play his hand.

Reports emerged Tuesday morning that the San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver will not be in attendance for Organized Team Activities beginning this week. Aiyuk and SF have been in contract negotiations for some time, with the player looking to secure a top-of-market extension near $30 million annually. Despite the holdout, Aiyuk’s team has not requested a trade at this time.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the news Tuesday.

#49ers Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to be on hand for OTA’s, per @MikeGarafolo

Aiyuk was seen yesterday on social media continuing to workout with his trainers in Southern California pic.twitter.com/YzgjLWMvEz

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) May 21, 2024

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.

Aiyuk has been mum regarding contract talks this offseason, only posting cryptic social media posts along the way. He did so Monday as well, going to his Instagram with the phrase “If I’m lying, I’m flying”. While that may seem not associated to his current situation, anything and everything can be considered during offseason contract talks.

Aas for where the 49ers and BA stand right now? Contract talks have not progressed positively, per reports.

Brandon Aiyuk’s IG story… pic.twitter.com/oUU8SiG1t8

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) May 20, 2024

“He wants a new contract,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week. “I’m told the 49ers certainly are open to doing a deal, but talks have not progressed enough where things are close. And so, is he going to show up for their workouts? Hard to tell right now. The market is pretty set for him. Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit did that deal recently, about 28 million a year. So, that’s something for Aiyuk and the 49ers to work off of, but I’m told they’re not quite there yet.”

The Brandon Aiyuk saga is the latest offseason drama for the 49ers, dealing with others in previous years. It was Nick Bosa in 2023, holding out until he got his new deal right before Week 1 of the regular season. 2024 has been different, with Bosa reporting to OTAs Monday.

It’s no surprise Brandon Aiyuk didn’t show this week, with mandatory minicamp next month being the real test of attrition in this saga.