NFL insider confirms 49ers are paying the price for ill-advised strategy with Brandon Aiyuk negotiations
The San Francisco 49ers have a tried and tested strategy when it comes to negotiating long-term extensions with star players. San Francisco has consistently stuck to a policy of coming to terms on such contracts by training camp. The 49ers are patient in negotiations with their franchise cornerstones, and their track record of getting deals […]
The San Francisco 49ers have a tried and tested strategy when it comes to negotiating long-term extensions with star players.
San Francisco has consistently stuck to a policy of coming to terms on such contracts by training camp. The 49ers are patient in negotiations with their franchise cornerstones, and their track record of getting deals done gives them little reason to rush.
But, in the case of All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, taking the opposite approach always seemed like a smarter play for the 49ers in an offseason featuring a host of wide receivers queuing up to receive lucrative new contracts.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter essentially confirmed that the ongoing impasse between the 49ers and Aiyuk is a product of their failure move quicker.
"They've had contract talks throughout the offseason, and at one point, it seemed like they were closing in on a deal only to see the wide receiver market explode," Schefter said. "I think the number might have shifted in Brandon Aiyuk's mind. But the Niners have always wanted him back."
The shift in Aiyuk's mind was likely in part prompted by Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson signing an extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Despite successive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Aiyuk has not produced at a level to command anywhere close to Jefferson's average annual salary of $35 million.
Still, that deal, along with other new contracts for the likes of A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaylen Waddle will have had an impact on negotiations between the Niners and Aiyuk.
The 49ers could have got out in front of all of those extensions and signed Aiyuk at a cheaper price earlier in the offseason, and their failure to do so has led to persistent talk of a potential trade of the 2020 first-round pick.
Despite Aiyuk claiming this week that the 49ers had said they do not want him back, Schefter is adamant San Francisco has no desire to trade him.
"At one point prior to the draft, the Commanders and Niners had some discussions that never went anywhere about a potential trade, and the Niners wanted to hold onto him," said Schefter. "And they still want to hold onto him, and they're not looking to deal him.
"There have been conversations (about Aiyuk) at various points with other teams where they asked if he were available.
"The Niners never were serious about trading him, and they want him back. But the problem is they can't get a deal done right now, so Brandon Aiyuk is interpreting that as they don't want me anymore. No, they want him here. They just don't want him at the number that he wants to be there at, with what the wide receivers are going for in this day and age.
"At this time a couple of years ago, I do believe Deebo Samuel stated that he wanted to be traded, wasn't going to play in San Francisco again. So you can do and say whatever you want at this time of the year. Let's see what happens when everybody's reporting to camp and training camp is underway."
NFL analyst’s proposed Brandon Aiyuk trade would require massive strides from 49ers rookies
Their two wide receiver picks would have to deliver immediately.
