Ex-GM Explains Why the 49ers Hold Leverage Over WR Brandon Aiyuk

For the first time since the Super Bowl ended, there’s a slightly positive development in the San Francisco 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk contract drama.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday morning that Aiyuk’s in-person meeting with the 49ers went well and that the two sides were “moving ahead toward an extension.”

But is the sudden optimism that a new deal will be reached really the byproduct of a fruitful offseason meeting, or does it have more to do with what former general manager-turned-journalist Randy Mueller pointed out Thursday at The Athletic — that the 49ers currently hold all the cards?

“Aiyuk has the short straw,” Mueller wrote . “He has a contract for 2024 that will pay him $14.1 million, and under the current CBA, holding out of training camp is not a viable option. If the 49ers wanted to play hardball, they could make Aiyuk play for that and then franchise-tag him for 2025.

“The tag for wide receivers…is projected to rise near $25 million in 2025, which would put Aiyuk around $39 million over the next two years. I'm not suggesting the 49ers should play hardball, but they could if they wanted to. That's leverage. Obviously, Aiyuk's representation knows this.”

Mueller also pointed out that Aiyuk’s leverage took a hit when San Francisco drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 draft. Having Pearsall plus Pro Bowler Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings in tow makes it easier for the team to absorb any potential Aiyuk holdout without the passing game taking a significant hit.

The 49ers reportedly offered Aiyuk a deal worth approximately $26M per year, but the 26-year-odl wideout is said to want a contract closer to the four-year, $120M one ($30M per year) the Detroit Lions gave Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Related: Insider Says Other Teams Will Pay Brandon Aiyuk if 49ers Aren't Willing to