Brock Purdy hasn't thrown to Brandon Aiyuk since the Super Bowl, but the quarterback isn't overly concerned about their chemistry despite Aiyuk's absence from practices.
Aiyuk is currently "holding in" for a contract extension from the 49ers or a trade to a team willing to make him one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers. However, he did travel with the 49ers to Las Vegas for Friday night's preseason finale against the Raiders, suggesting that relations between the player and the team have yet to break down completely.
It's also a sign that Aiyuk is healthy, as head coach Kyle Shanahan noted, "Anyone who's on our team, we want to make the trip, especially if we think they're healthy. That's why we had him do it."
Aiyuk has cited a sore back as the reason for missing practices, which was a clear tactic during the contract standoff.
Purdy mentioned that every time he's thrown in California, it's been during the 49ers' team activities, none of which Aiyuk has participated in this offseason. This absence has made it challenging for the two to build on the impressive chemistry they displayed last season.
"So we just haven't had a chance to throw [and catch together]," Purdy added.
The quarterback is confident that they'll quickly regain their rhythm once Aiyuk returns to the practice field.
"I think I'd be confident in us being able to pick up where we left off," Purdy told reporters. "Throwing to him for two years, and obviously going on three, understanding our plays, our concepts, where he needs to be, where the receiver needs to be, I'd be pretty confident in him coming back and us being on the same page."
The 49ers hope this happens well before their Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets, as not having last season's leading receiver on the field for the opener at Levi's Stadium would be a significant setback.
