Brock Purdy's worst play of 49ers' final preseason game showed exactly why they need to end Brandon Aiyuk saga

The Brandon Aiyuk saga has gone on far too long. The San Francisco 49ers knew this going into their final preseason game with the Las Vegas Raiders, which provided more evidence of why it is imperative they get a deal done with their All-Pro wide receiver.

That evidence came on the worst play of an otherwise strong night for Brock Purdy, with an interception that had little to do with the quarterback.

With the 49ers driving to take a 17-0 lead on Purdy's third and final series, he came under quick pressure off his right edge. Purdy attempted to fit the ball into Deebo Samuel on a slant with a throw that was slightly high, only to see it bounce off Samuel's hands and into the arms of safety Christopher Smith amid tight coverage from Sam Webb.

Though Purdy could take some of the blame for a slightly off-target throw, the pick was in large part a product of Samuel's inability to beat man coverage, the same failing he displayed at the same stadium in the Super Bowl back in February as the 49ers fell to an agonizing overtime loss.

While it was a disappointing play from a Niners perspective, it was perfect for Aiyuk in handing him more leverage in negotiations over a long-term extension as his protracted saga drags towards the regular season.

Aiyuk, the 49ers' primary shredder of man coverage , traveled with the team to Las Vegas and got to bear witness to how San Francisco could struggle against man coverage without him.

And he could not have drawn up a better play to force the 49ers to bend to his demands to get the deal over the line than Purdy being picked off as a result of Samuel failing to beat a Raiders backup corner in man coverage.

Despite previous reports that indicated the 49ers and Aiyuk weren't far apart on a contract, a breakthrough did not seem imminent going into their preseason finale. Purdy's interception might give the Niners the motivation they need to secure that elusive resolution.

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