Santa Clara, California – Contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have hit a rough patch, with tensions rising as talks continue. Aiyuk’s coach and former NFL receiver, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, shed light on the situation during an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs,” revealing a shift from optimism to uncertainty on Aiyuk’s part.
According to Houshmandzadeh, Aiyuk had initially been hopeful about reaching a deal but now finds himself unsure about his future with the 49ers. The ongoing negotiations have taken longer than expected, leading to Aiyuk’s absence from OTAs and mandatory minicamp in Santa Clara.
Houshmandzadeh suggested a straightforward solution to the contract stalemate: offering Aiyuk a deal similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown’s contract with the Detroit Lions. The coach believes that such an offer would prompt Aiyuk to report for camp promptly, emphasizing the importance of keeping key players content within the team.
St. Brown recently signed a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract with Detroit, following a standout 2023 season that earned him First-Team All-Pro honors. While Aiyuk’s statistics last season lag behind St. Brown’s, his impact on the field and role within the 49ers’ offense cannot be understated.
Despite receiving fewer targets and receptions than St. Brown in 2023, Aiyuk’s impressive 17.9 yards per reception ranked second in the NFL. In light of his contributions to the team’s success, Houshmandzadeh expressed disappointment over the prolonged negotiations, stressing the need to reward Aiyuk’s efforts appropriately.
As negotiations continue, both Houshmandzadeh and Aiyuk hope for a resolution that satisfies all parties involved. The stakes are high, with Aiyuk’s future with the 49ers hanging in the balance as talks remain at a standstill.