According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the San Francisco 49ers exercised the fifth-year option for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Having earned a playtime bonus, the wide receiver will be guaranteed $14.12 million in 2024. He remains a candidate for a contract extension.
Two more: The #49ers picked up the option for WR Brandon Aiyuk, the #Falcons did the same for AJ Terrell. https://t.co/L5ZBNGjDBP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2023
Aiyuk's $2.32 million base salary for the upcoming season remains guaranteed.
San Francisco drafted Aiyuk (6-0, 200) out of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020. He registered 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns through 17 starts last season.
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"Brandon's been excellent for us," general manager John Lynch told reporters at the NFL owners' meetings in March when asked if the 49ers planned to exercise Aiyuk's fifth-year option. "I'd be shocked if we didn't. ... He's a really good player. It's interesting when you're at these league functions, ownership meetings, combine, a lot of people ask about him. They really appreciate his game, and they see it ascending.
"And he's a guy we're very fortunate to have, and I think he's just coming into his own, too. I think it's only going to get better. So we're excited about watching Brandon move forward with us."
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Aiyuk, 25, has caught 194 passes for 2,589 yards and 18 touchdowns in 46 game appearances (44 starts) through his three NFL seasons. Some wondered if the 49ers might try to trade Aiyuk should a contract extension seem unlikely.
"We're trying to do something special this year, and Brandon is going to be a big part of that and beyond as well," Lynch said on Monday, seemingly debunking any speculation that the receiver would not be around in 2023. "And so, yes, you always have to think out a few years, but we're really excited about Brandon, feel like he made another big step [last] year, and I think the best is yet to come, and so we want him being a part of it."