In a surprising turn of events, Brandon Aiyuk reported to the San Francisco 49ers training camp along with his veteran teammates yesterday. This decision came just a week after the disgruntled wide receiver requested a trade. Aiyuk is seeking a long-term deal and has been unhappy with the lack of progress in contract negotiations.
Aiyuk is slated to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option and has limited options if an agreement isn't reached soon. Reporting to training camp indicates that the receiver is unwilling to accrue further fines after already subjecting himself to $100,000 in penalties for missing last month's mandatory minicamp.
San Francisco's players hit the practice field for the first time today. While Aiyuk was present, he chose not to participate in the Wednesday morning session, a decision that will likely continue until the contract situation is resolved. Most expected Aiyuk to "hold-in," meaning he would report to the team and participate in everything except the on-field work.
Brandon Aiyuk is not in uniform and is watching practice from the sideline. Also, I do not see Trent Williams.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) July 24, 2024
When asked on Tuesday about the expectations for Aiyuk during training camp amid the contract standoff, general manager John Lynch bluntly declared, "We expect all our players to practice."
While Lynch emphasized the goal of keeping Aiyuk with the 49ers, he did not entirely rule out the possibility of a trade.
"We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward," Lynch said. "We're always open to listen to things, but we expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team like he has been."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan will speak to reporters after today's practice.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is out here at the team's first practice of training camp but in shorts and a T shirt watching from the side. Perhaps no surprise given the circumstances as he awaits resolution to his contract status. pic.twitter.com/0BZJaLWhIs
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 24, 2024
