George Kittle Makes True Feelings Known On Brandon Aiyuk's Contract Situation With 49ers

The contract negotiations, or possibly lack thereof, between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers have been a major talking point for months. With training camp set to start on Thursday and veterans reporting on Tuesday, this issue is bound to become even hotter, as there's a good chance Aiyuk will no-show.

As of now, the two sides have yet to reach a deal. Both parties seemingly want to make an agreement that keeps the All-Pro receiver in a 49ers uniform, but working out the financials has put negotiations at a gridlock.

One of Aiyuk's teammates, tight end George Kittle, hopes that the wide receiver gets the new deal he's looking for soon and that he gets "the money that he deserves."

"Aiyuk's just a phenomenal football player," Kittle told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport . "He does everything you want him to do as a wide receiver, including taking touchdowns from me once in a while, which I'm totally OK with. But he's just such a dynamic receiver and he's just such a very important part of our offense. So, yes, getting Brandon Aiyuk the money that he deserves -- I hope nothing but the best for him. There's, unfortunately, not much that I can do to help with that, except just cheer him on from the sidelines and hopefully we figure something out because he's one of my favorite teammates I've had.

"When there's a receiver who can run every single route, catch all the tough footballs, be open at the right time, but also grinds in the run game, blocks everybody you want him to -- you see all his highlights in the run game. When you have a guy that does all that type of stuff and just sets the tempo and sets the tone -- those guys are really important to your offense."

Aiyuk appears to be wanting top receiver money, which, if you're looking at the top five receivers in the league, would be $100 million-plus. The Las Vegas Raiders' Davante Adams and Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson, who just signed a new deal recently, both have contract values at $140 million. Jefferson also leads all receivers in total guaranteed money at $110 million, per Spotrac .

This offseason, Aiyuk has had to watch a number of talented receivers sign new deals, including Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith. Still on his rookie deal and a club option, Aiyuk makes less than all of them.

Aiyuk was 7th in receiving yards last season (1,342), 19th in receptions (75), 2nd in yards per reception (17.9), 9th in yards per game (83.9), and 23rd in touchdown receptions (7).

If Aiyuk and the 49ers can't come to a deal, then there's always the possibility the team could seek to trade him. Aiyuk has already let it be known that he is very open to a trade, putting it out there he would be fine with going to the Pittsburgh Steelers or Washington Commanders.