San Francisco 49ers finally complete huge offseason task with training camp on the horizon
It took some time, but the San Francisco 49ers have finally signed their entire 2024 draft class. The 49ers completed that task on Thursday by signing first-round pick Ricky Pearsall to a four-year deal, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Pearsall's contract is worth $12.5 million and is fully guaranteed. As a first-round […]
It took some time, but the San Francisco 49ers have finally signed their entire 2024 draft class.
The 49ers completed that task on Thursday by signing first-round pick Ricky Pearsall to a four-year deal, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Pearsall's contract is worth $12.5 million and is fully guaranteed. As a first-round pick, it also contains a fifth-year option.
Rookie contracts have largely become a formality since the introduction of the rookie wage scale in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, though issues such as signing bonus payment schedules and disputes over offset language can still delay things.
It's not clear why it took until late June for Pearsall to sign his, but the 49ers will be delighted to get him under contract with training camp now under a month away.
Pearsall and the rest of San Francisco's rookie class will report to camp on July 17, with the remainder of the roster following six days later on July 23.
Having received significant praise from head coach Kyle Shanahan and teammates including quarterback Brock Purdy for his efforts in OTAs and minicamp, Pearsall will be looking to carry that momentum into training camp, where the former Florida wide receiver could be set for a battle for the third receiver position with Jauan Jennings.
The surprising selection of Pearsall with the 31st overall pick prompted significant speculation about the future of All-Pro wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who was Pearsall's college teammate at Arizona State.
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and skipped both OTAs and minicamp as his agents attempt to come to terms with the Niners on a long-term extension.
His contract saga took a surprising turn on Monday when Aiyuk published a video to TikTok featuring the 2020 first-round pick telling his and Pearsall's former teammate with the Sun Devils, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, that the 49ers said they do not want him back. Aiyuk's claims have been refuted by multiple reports.
The 49ers are unlikely to be put off by the apparent souring of relations on the Aiyuk side, and can now solely focus on getting that deal done with all their rookies under contract.
San Francisco will want to line up Aiyuk and Pearsall in the same formation regularly in 2024, but there is still some work for the 49ers to do before it can be said that will definitely happen.
Javon Hargrave preparing well for high-pressure second campaign with the San Francisco 49ers
He needs to rise to the challenge.
