NFL insider sounds a familiar tone in update on San Francisco 49ers' negotiations with Brandon Aiyuk
Conventional wisdom says there will eventually be a break in the impasse between the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, but it doesn't appear to be anywhere close to being on the horizon. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler provided an update on talks between the two sides on Sunday. It was the kind of update to which […]
Conventional wisdom says there will eventually be a break in the impasse between the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, but it doesn't appear to be anywhere close to being on the horizon.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler provided an update on talks between the two sides on Sunday. It was the kind of update to which 49ers fans have had to grow accustomed during a contract saga that has seen San Francisco's All-Pro wide receiver skip OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Speaking on Sportscenter (h/t Bleacher Report), Fowler said talks between the two sides have "stalled".
"They're going to see what happens over the next six weeks leading into training camp," Fowler said.
"The 49ers want Aiyuk long-term in the fold, but so far, they have not been willing to show that they're going to meet the market of wide receiver, which we're seeing these massive numbers. Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit, $30 million, Justin Jefferson well above that."
"Aiyuk believes he's a top guy, and so, something's got to give. And so, he's worked himself into a top-10 receiver conversation. We'll see. Not a lot of momentum right now. Not a lot of optimism."
While optimism is thin on the ground right now, the prevailing emotion in the 49ers' camp is likely to be one of calm. San Francisco, per Mike Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle, has offered Aiyuk a deal worth $26 million annually.
The gap to the St. Brown deal, which pays the Detroit Lions receiver $28 million annually over the first three years, should not be a tough one for them to bridge and they still have a lot of time.
There certainly won't be any panic for a team that has typically signed star players to big contracts around training camp. Deadlines force action and, with the Aiyuk contract, the 49ers will likely be spurred into life right on schedule.