Jun 29, 2024, 4:00 p.m. ET
Brandon Aiyuk said he wants to remain with the 49ers despite a contractual standoff with the team.
Star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he wants to stay with the San Francisco 49ers this season despite his contractual standoff with the team.
Aiyuk, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, told TMZ Sports at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday that he is ready to play for the 49ers, although they have not yet reached an agreement on an extension.
Brandon Aiyuk said he wants to remain with the 49ers despite a contractual standoff with the team. Cooper Neill/Getty Images
“Sure,” Aiyuk told TMZ Sports. “Safely!”
Aiyuk added intrigue to his contract situation with the 49ers with a TikTok post this month.
In the video, Aiyuk is speaking via FaceTime with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former Arizona State teammate.
Aiyuk tells Daniels, “They said they didn’t want me back.”
Daniels responds: “Is that all?”
“I swear,” Aiyuk replied, prompting Daniels to shout, “My boy!”
Aiyuk captioned the post, “I’m laughing but I’m crying.”
It’s unclear whether Aiyuk was implying the 49ers don’t want him back for this season or is saying the 49ers don’t want him beyond this season because they’re unwilling to meet his demands for what would be a lucrative contract extension.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler previously reported that talks between the 49ers and Aiyuk “have stalled a bit.”
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to count $14.124 million against the salary cap in 2024. The wide receiver is coming off a 75-catch, 1,342-yard, seven-touchdown season.
He did not participate in the 49ers’ offseason program and skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp. He is subject to fines of more than $101,000 for boycotting minicamp.
49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel said during the team’s minicamp that he has been in regular contact with Aiyuk throughout the offseason, offering help when needed on how to navigate the contract situation. Samuel agreed to a three-year extension with the 49ers in 2022, but not before demanding a trade due to the slow pace of contract negotiations. His main advice to Aiyuk has been to preach patience.
2024-06-29 20:00:00
#Brandon #Aiyuk #stay #49ers #stagnation
