Ryan Clark hints at Brandon Aiyuk possibly joining the Commanders despite 49ers’ attempt to resign him

Aiyuk has been unhappy with the 49ers delaying his contract talks and wants to take the matter into his own hands.

Ryan Clark hints at Brandon Aiyuk possibly joining the Commanders despite 49ers’ attempt to resign him

Brandon Aiyuk (Image via IMAGO)

It’s make or break for Brandon Aiyuk. Either he remains a San Francisco 49ers player before the 2024 NFL season begins or he joins another team.

Last week, Aiyuk’s cryptic social media post suggested that the 49ers did not want him on the team any longer. On Monday, ESPN’s Ryan Clark revealed that the 26-year-old wanted to talk with the 49ers front office.

I will tell you this, when he sat with us, he did not walk into the room alone. First, it was Brandon Aiyuk. Second, it was (Commanders quarterback) Jayden Daniels. I'm not a tea leaf reader, but the way that that sounds is that Brandon Aiyuk wouldn't mind playing in Washington.
Ryan Clark said

Now it’s unclear the reason behind his sudden aggressive approach, but it only hints that his losing patience over waiting for a long-term contract. Clark claimed when he last spoke with Aiyuk he was with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

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The pair have a prior connection with each other. Aiyuk and Daniels played one season of college football together at Arizona Sundevils before going their separate ways.

Despite the delayed negotiations, Clark’s colleague Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers want Aiyuk to remain in San Francisco. The 2020, first-round pick’s rookie contract will end after the 2024 season and the Niners already triggered his fifth-year option in which he will earn $14.1 million.

Can the 49ers afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk?

Aiyuk had a breakout campaign in 2023. In 16 games during the regular season, he racked up 75 catches for 1342 receiving yards, 17.9 yards per catch, and 7 touchdowns, ending up with an All-Pro title. In his eyes, if any receiver deserves a pay raise, then it is him.

Ryan Clark hints at Brandon Aiyuk possibly joining the Commanders despite 49ers' attempt to resign him
Brandon Aiyuk (Image via IMAGO)

For that reason, he opted to skip the 49ers OTAs and mandatory mini-camp. During that time, he witnessed the Lions pay Amon-Ra St. Brown a four-year $120 million deal ($30 million a year), and the Eagles agreed to a three-year $96 million deal with AJ Brown ($33 million a year).

The 49ers want to pay Brandon Aiyuk, but the problem is the money. Aiyuk reportedly wants close to Brown’s $30 million or higher, but Schefter claimed the 9ers would prefer if it was $26 million.

If the 49ers don’t wrap the deal up soon, then there will be other suitors ready to pounce like the Commanders. 

I think there are other teams that are willing to pay him what he wants. I do believe that. So maybe not a first-round pick in a trade, but I think they would do it under certain circumstances.
Jeremy Fowler recently said on ESPN’s ‘This is Football’ podcast,

In the meantime, the Minnesota Vikings raised the bar higher. They agreed to a four-year $140 million deal with Justin Jefferson ($35 million a year). It’s unlikely Aiyuk would demand something that outrageous but Trevor Lawrence is the highest-paid NFL quarterback so anything is possible.

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