General manager of the San Francisco 49ers John Lynch said the team is “actively engaging with” wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in an attempt to work out a long-term contract, dismissing trade rumors involving the wideout this week.
Aiyuk spoke out on Thursday on the Nightcap podcast alongside Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
Aiyuk declared, “I’m attempting to obtain what I deserve.” “I think that during this football season, I came to terms with my identity as a player and a person, as well as what I bring to the field, the locker room, and the company. And simply the worth I bring with me into that building.
People are going to follow me because, ever since I entered that building, I have done everything correctly. Between the moment I walked in the door on the first day until this morning.
I’ve carried it out correctly. That’s all it is if people can’t see the value in that walks with hands in the air.
There is nothing more to it than that. It eludes me. We should be able to reach a professional arrangement and carry on playing professional football because both sides are employing professionals.”
Johnson mentioned $30–32 million, but Aiyuk, who claimed he’s presently working out in the Bay Area, didn’t go into details about what he deserves.
Aiyuk, who was selected with the 25th overall pick in 2020, will soon begin the fifth and last year of his $14.124 million deal in 2024.
The wide receiver has steadily developed during his four seasons in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, highlighted by his 1,342-yard performance in 2023. Without a doubt, Aiyuk contributes to the Niners’ offensive success.
San Francisco wants to keep him around for a long time, but paying Aiyuk’s salary will involve financial acrobatics given the number of other players on the team who are currently worth more than $20 million and the need to set aside money for Brock Purdy’s future salary.
