The contract talks between All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers have taken the league by storm this offseason.
Aiyuk is looking for a major extension, but he and the team have not been able to agree to terms on a deal.
NFL analyst John Middlekauff recently gave his take on the situation out in the Bay Area.
“I like Brandon Aiyuk a lot…but on the 49ers he’ll probably never have more than 80 catches a year,” Middlekauff stated, via The Volume.
“I like Brandon Aiyuk a lot… but on the 49ers he’ll probably never have more than 80 catches a year”
—@JohnMiddlekauff explains why it makes no sense for San Francisco to give their WR2 a massive extension pic.twitter.com/QDk8a3H0sx
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) June 11, 2024
Middlekauff might be onto something here.
The 49ers use plenty of players on offense to make plays.
Christian McCaffrey is arguably the best running back in the league, and he is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year.
Tight end George Kittle is a four-time All-Pro in his own right.
Multi-purpose wide receiver Deebo Samuel does everything well.
The team also just drafted Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the latest NFL Draft.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has no shortage of weapons.
So, why should GM John Lynch pay a good receiver big money when he isn’t the sole reason for the success on offense?
Time will certainly tell 49ers fans if this situation can iron itself out or not.
If they decide to sign him to a major deal, they could enter some salary cap trouble in the near future.
If they do indeed decide that they are better off without him, they could trade him to a team outside their division and conference.
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