Brandon Aiyuk added new intrigue to his contract impasse with the San Francisco 49ers by posting a video to TikTok on Monday.
In the video, Aiyuk speaks via FaceTime with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. Aiyuk told Daniels, “They said they didn’t want me to come back. »
Daniels responds, “Is that all? »
“I swear,” Aiyuk replied.
Brandon Aiyuk wrote in the caption of the post: “I’m laughing but I’m crying. »
Brandon Aiyuk, unhappy with his contract, did not participate in the team’s mandatory pre-camp.
It is unclear whether Aiyuk was implying that the 49ers do not want him for this season or if he was saying that the 49ers do not want him beyond this season because they are not willing to respond to his requests to offer him a long-term contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported over the weekend that talks between the 49ers and Aiyuk “got a little bogged down.” »
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to count $14.124 million against the salary cap in 2024.
Last season, Aiyuk was dominant with 75 receptions, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson recently reset the wide receiver market by signing a four-year extension averaging $35 million per season.
49ers receiver Deebo Samuel said he has been in regular contact with Aiyuk throughout the offseason, offering help when needed to navigate the contract situation. Samuel agreed to a three-year extension with the 49ers in 2022, but not before requesting a trade due to slow negotiations.
“At the end of the day, you want to get what you deserve and you hope it happens,” Samuel said. “But it won’t happen when you want it.” It’s just a waiting game and in that situation you let their agent communicate with them and they communicate back and it’s just back and forth for a long time. »
