The San Francisco 49ers have seen their build-up to the 2024 season utterly dominated by decisions over the futures of very important players on their roster.
Arik Armstead was the headline departure for the 49ers, parting with their formerly longest-tenured player after he refused to take a pay cut as part of a contract restructure. All-Pros Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle and Fred Warner all agreed to restructures to aid the 49ers' cap situation.
The 49ers extended would-be Super Bowl hero Jauan Jennings and then Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey after both briefly stayed away from the facility during the offseason workout program.
It is the long contract impasse with Brandon Aiyuk that has overshadowed the offseason, though, and has continued to loom large as the 49ers have entered training camp without a deal for the All-Pro receiver. Aiyuk is 'holding in', reporting to camp but refusing to practice .
Last week, it was revealed that the 49ers had another contract problem to resolve, with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams refusing to report to camp, the 11-time Pro Bowler seeking some guaranteed money on the final three years of his deal, of which there is currently none.
With those substantial issues still to be addressed, Juszczyk was asked about their potential to be a distraction.
The fullback, who conceded to initially being hurt by the 49ers asking him to take a pay cut, provided a very clear response.
“I feel like every year there’s kind of been someone in that position,” Juszczyk said of the Aiyuk and Williams situations.
“Honestly, I feel kind of well versed in it. It really is something that in the locker room, we don’t take personally and we understand that guys go through that stuff and a lot of guys have gone through it ourselves. I think there’s a good understanding.”
It's a positive that the 49ers locker room knows such situations come with the territory of having a roster that is still regarded as the most loaded in football, as more contract headaches are likely on the horizon for San Francisco next offseason, when the prospective extension for Brock Purdy may make it harder for the Niners to hold on to several members of his stellar supporting cast.
But the Niners have already made it clear they are ready for the Purdy negotiation and Juszczyk's comments illustrate the point that San Francisco can rest assured its veteran locker room will be able to handle any knock-on effects from what will likely be the most significant contract of the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era.
Related: Did Brandon Aiyuk, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan just reveal the end of 49ers star's long contract saga?
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