The situation between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may have taken an interesting turn on Monday. Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team shared a video from TikTok that shows Aiyuk talking to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels via FaceTime, expressing pessimism about a contract extension.
"They said they don't want me back ... I swear," Aiyuk said.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to Jayden Daniels, via his TikTok:
"They said they don't want me back… I swear."pic.twitter.com/2ln0dX2KGQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 17, 2024
Aiyuk and Daniels were teammates for one season at Arizona State.
It's noteworthy that there is no context in this video, and at no time does Aiyuk mention the 49ers. It is purely speculative that he is discussing his contract negotiations. However, the post does not reflect well on the team, which has been trying to find a way to sign their star receiver.
Aiyuk is currently scheduled to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option in 2024. That is well below market value, with many believing the receiver deserves a contract averaging around $30 million annually.
Several teams expressed interest in trading for Aiyuk around the draft. However, discussions never progressed far, and the 49ers remained focused on ensuring Aiyuk remains a part of the team's future.
Aiyuk led the 49ers with a career-high 1,342 receiving yards last season while hauling in seven touchdowns. He was a key factor behind the team's success, and quarterback Brock Purdy throwing for a single-season franchise record of 4,280 passing yards.
San Francisco made Aiyuk the No. 25 overall draft pick in 2020. He became the first 49ers wide receiver to record back-to-back seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards since Anquan Boldin did so in 2013 and 2014, and the first 49ers player to accomplish the feat since tight end George Kittle in 2018 and 2019.
