49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is absent from the mandatory minicamp as he demands a new contract
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is absent from mandatory minicamp as he seeks a new contract. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, sources have confirmed that Aiyuk was not present at the start of minicamp on Tuesday.
This offseason, Aiyuk has also missed voluntary workouts, aiming for a deal that reflects the booming receiver market. By skipping the three-day mandatory minicamp, he risks incurring over $100,000 in fines. However, unlike veterans on their second contracts, players like Aiyuk, who are still on their rookie fifth-year option, might have these fines waived by the team, similar to what the 49ers did for Nick Bosa last year.
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The 26-year-old wide receiver is set to earn $14.124 million in the final year of his initial contract. Following a standout season where he achieved second-team All-Pro honors and posted a career-best 1,342 yards, Aiyuk is primed for a salary increase that reflects the upper echelon of the market. Currently, four players surpass the $30 million-per-year mark, and eight exceed the $25 million threshold. Justin Jefferson recently redefined the market with a four-year, $140 million extension.
On the same day running back Christian McCaffrey secured another significant payday, Aiyuk is seeking his first contract extension.
It's no shock that Aiyuk is skipping mandatory minicamp. Observing his fellow receivers, including those drafted in the same year, securing lucrative deals has spurred his decision. Withholding participation is one of the limited forms of leverage available to players.
The pressing issue is whether the Niners are prepared to match the rising market or prefer to hold off and address the situation after another potential playoff run. The wide receiver's readiness to risk fines indicates he's against delaying and might opt to sit out. How long could this standoff last? It could extend into training camp, preseason, or even the regular season.
The Niners acknowledged there were trade discussions before the draft, but GM John Lynch affirmed afterward that the team intended to keep their WR lineup intact for 2024, bolstered by the addition of first-round pick Ricky Pearsall. The critical question remains whether Aiyuk is on board with this plan. Will he seek a different outcome, or is he willing to take a chance on a smaller contract with a championship-caliber team, hoping for a lucrative deal in 2025?