Brandon Aiyuk is having perhaps the best season of his NFL career, finishing the 2023 season with seven touchdowns and a career-high 1,342 receiving yards.
Aiyuk was a first-round draft pick in 2020, and the San Francisco 49ers exercised his fifth-year option last year. Therefore, unless his contract is extended, he will become a free agent after the 2024 season.
Aiyuk and his agent appear to be aiming to sign a long-term deal sooner rather than later.
It remains to be seen whether he signs an extension with the Niners or signs with another club. Aiyuk has been linked to a number of trade rumors.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sideline before the Super Bowl game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11, 2024. (Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Aiyuk appears to have been unfollowed by the 49ers as the contract dispute continues. Social media.
In recent years, there has been a trend for athletes who are dissatisfied with their teams to air their dissatisfaction through social media platforms.
Arik Armstead felt ‘disrespected’ by 49ers after signing with Jaguars in free agency
Kyler Murray appears to have unfollowed the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and removed all references to the team from his social media accounts. He then reloaded his previously deleted photos on Instagram and ultimately agreed to a lucrative contract extension during the 2022 offseason.
In February, 49ers general manager John Lynch expressed his hope that Aiyuk would remain with the organization long-term.
“He’s served us very well as a franchise,” Lynch said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I think we have a great track record of adding players that are important to us, and Brandon is a player we want to keep for a long time.”
Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers, 11, of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Catch a pass tipped by Kindle Vildor (29 years old). (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
According to the terms of his contract, Aiyuk will earn approximately $14.1 million in the final year of his rookie contract. During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco’s “Nightcap” podcast, Aiyuk spoke about his contract situation.
“I’m trying to get what I deserve,” Aiyuk said. “This season, this season of playing football, I feel like I understand who I am as a person, as a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. do.
“And those are the values that I have when I walk in that building. People follow me because I’ve acted the right way since I walked into that building. Between Sun and being there, I went there early this morning and I did it the right way.”
Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Shearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Aiyuk added that he was hopeful that an agreement could be reached.
“If they don’t see value in it, [makes a walking motion with hands],That’s all. Nothing else. I can’t get into it. Experts work on both sides. So, hopefully we can come to a professional agreement and continue playing professional football. ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Aiyuk’s annual market value is projected to be $24 million; According to Spotrac. He has not officially requested a trade.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
