It would seem the chill in the San Francisco air has warmed up a bit at the start of the summer as it relates to one of the NFL’s top wide receivers.
Wideout Brandon Aiyuk requested a meeting Monday with the 49ers brass and it was characterized as a “good” one in which both sides agreed to keep working toward an extension, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday.
Pelissero explained that both parties are moving ahead after Aiyuk recently went to social media to state the 49ers “don’t want me back.” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on June 17 that the 49ers did indeed want Aiyuk back, but sides had been unable to bridge the monetary gap.
On Wednesday, Pelissero said he would anticipate that all parties involved would take some time to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday before resuming their work at hammering out a long-term pact.
Going back to the 2024 NFL Draft, trade rumors were abuzz regarding Aiyuk being shipped out of San Francisco. However, Pelissero noted that Aiyuk has never requested a trade and the Niners’ stance on the former first-rounder has not changed despite receiving calls for him during the draft.
The 25th overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk is due $14.1 million in base salary in 2024 – the final season of his rookie deal after the club picked up his fifth-year option.
Aiyuk is likely looking to move into the neighborhood of the Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown, who recently inked a four-year, $120 million extension.
This is somewhat summer business as usual for the 49ers, who received a trade request from receiver Deebo Samuel in 2022 before working out an extension. In 2023, defensive end Nick Bosa held out of training camp and the preseason before landing a landmark deal.
Next up it would seem is Aiyuk, who held out of mandatory minicamp.
The 26-year-old is coming off a career-best 1,342-yard campaign in which he also posted 75 catches and seven touchdowns. He’s put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons now and is looking to earn the dollars commensurate with his production.
It would seem a positive step has been taken toward getting that done.
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