Brandon Aiyuk is officially holding out as he awaits a new contract from the San Francisco 49ers. This became clear when the wide receiver skipped this week's mandatory minicamp. However, Aiyuk isn't taking it easy during his time away from teammates and coaches.
On Wednesday, Aiyuk shared a workout video on Instagram with the caption "OTA Day 5."
Brandon Aiyuk shared the following video to IG yesterday, showing a glimpse of his offseason work as he remains away from the #49ers. pic.twitter.com/8NQxqoWZmf
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) June 6, 2024
Aiyuk is risking fines totaling up to $101,716 by staying away from Santa Clara this week. Of course, the 49ers may choose to overlook this, as they did last offseason with defensive end Nick Bosa, who also held out amid contract negotiations.
The fine schedule for missing mandatory minicamp:
🏈1st day: $16,953
🏈2nd day: $33,908
🏈3rd day: $50,855Total: $101,716.
By skipping mandatory minicamp, Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb and 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk will be subject to $101,716 in fines. pic.twitter.com/tIglzBWEek
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 5, 2024
The real question is how Aiyuk's absence might impact his readiness for the upcoming season. Bosa admitted that staying away from the 49ers may have led to a slow start last season when he recorded just one sack in his first four games. The pass rusher didn't agree to terms on an extension until just days before the start of the regular season.
This offseason, Bosa reported to the team during voluntary organized team activities (OTAs), earlier than he typically rejoins his teammates.
"Last year was kind of tough getting thrown in Week 1 after a walk-through," Bosa said two weeks ago. "That was another reason I'm excited to be here, is just to get practicing a little bit. In-season practice is one thing, but actually being able to work on your stuff and not have a game coming up is good."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't concerning himself with the business side of things. He's been in the league long enough to realize he can only focus on what he can control.
"Some guys come because they want to avoid a fine, and some don't," Shanahan commented this week. "But regardless, it doesn't change anything when those guys have come. We know what the process is. We know what the business part is. That's just how they decide how they want to handle this week."
Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel is providing Aiyuk with as much advice as possible. Having gone through the contract negotiation process just two years ago, Samuel understands what Aiyuk is experiencing.
"At the end of the day, you want to get what you deserve," Samuel said. "And at the end of the day, you hope it happens, but it's not going to happen in the timely manner that you want it to happen. It's just a waiting game, and in this situation, you just let his agent communicate with them, and they communicate back, and it's just a back and forth for a long time."
