With the NFL season reaching a conclusion this past Sunday, the soap opera that is the NFL offseason is upon us. In the coming weeks, there will be no shortage of rumors surrounding star players who are unhappy with their current contracts or situations, and it’s already beginning out in San Francisco following their heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl.
On social media, multiple people close to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk hinted at the possibility of him leaving the 49ers this offseason.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is a name to keep an eye on this offseason.
Both Aiyuk’s brother and girlfriend hinted at a possible exit out of San Francisco this offseason.
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and his cap hit will jump to $14M. pic.twitter.com/M5KcF3kkjz
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) February 13, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk is entering the final year of his contract with the Niners after they picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. The former Arizona State star has been nothing but productive since entering the league in 2020. Aiyuk has tallied at least 748 yards receiving in every season, but he really broke out in 2023, catching 75 balls for 1,342 yards — a ridiculous 17.9 yards per catch — on his way to second-team All-Pro honors.
With all the star power out in San Francisco, Aiyuk often is looked at as an afterthought, which might be the reason for his frustration. This is a star wide receiver who’s just entering the prime of his career, and some wouldn’t even consider him a top three offensive weapon on his own team. The 49ers likely aren’t keen on the idea of letting him go, but many difficult decisions will have to be made regarding their future.
Across the board, salaries are increasing, which will make it impossible for San Francisco to keep the entire team intact, especially when Brock Purdy is up for an extension in a couple of years. Looking ahead to 2024, San Francisco has ten players under contract that will make at least $14 million, including five on offense. That’s not sustainable in the long term, and Deebo Samuel will also be looking for a new contract in the near future.
Most likely, the 49ers will have to choose between Samuel and Aiyuk. A couple of years ago, that may have seemed like a no-brainer, but Aiyuk may actually be the better option long-term, given his age and Samuel’s injury history. If I were the 49ers, that is the direction I would take, finding a trade suitor for Samuel rather than Aiyuk, but if Aiyuk does become available, the Falcons should be working the phones aggressively.
Atlanta has a lot of needs, and wide receiver is one of the most pressing. Brandon Aiyuk would be a perfect complement to Drake London across the field, and he’s played in Kyle Shanahan’s offense his entire career, which is similar to what Zac Robinson will run in Atlanta.
The draft compensation and subsequent extension the Falcons would have to hand Aiyuk will be significant, but it is something to keep an eye on as the offseason moves forward. Brandon Aiyuk paired with Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Tyler Allgeier would put the Falcons skill position group over the top, featuring loads of young talent entering their primes.
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Photo: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire
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