The start of the 49ers’ season is less than two weeks away, but the Brandon Aiyuk saga remains unresolved.
That’s not what at all what San Francisco was hoping for when Aiyuk requested a trade in July. The 49ers initially resisted the idea of trading their star 26-year-old receiver, but they explored deals with the Steelers and Patriots, among others, as training camp pressed on.
Aiyuk is still a 49er for now, as the team picked up his fifth-year option. But his demand for a new contract hasn’t been fulfilled — and the latest developments don’t indicate any agreement is close.
Here’s what you need to know about the practice stalemate between Aiyuk and the 49ers.
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Brandon Aiyuk contract holdout
Aiyuk remains away from the practice field despite the 49ers’ Week 1 game against the Jets rapidly approaching. With the season less than two weeks away, frustration is starting to boil over for the franchise.
San Francisco GM John Lynch expressed some frustration with Aiyuk’s absence from practice Wednesday, telling reporters,: “At some point, you got to play.”
👀 John Lynch when asked if he has communicated with Brandon Aiyuk that he is expected to practice:
“At some point you gotta play”#49ers pic.twitter.com/HX90F51wVj
— Kevin Krueger (@kevinkruegs) August 28, 2024
Lynch said he expected Aiyuk to practice later in the day but didn’t detail whether the 49ers would punish the receiver if he continued to sit out. When asked about potential consequences for Aiyuk if he remained absent, Lynch offered a simple answer: “Then we’ll deal with that.”
While 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan also said he hoped Aiyuk would practice Wednesday, he made it clear the former first-round pick never told him he planned on practicing. Aiyuk never did show up to practice, prompting more questions than answers about his status for the start of the season.
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Will Brandon Aiyuk play Week 1?
It isn’t clear whether Aiyuk will play in Week 1, with or without a new contract. But Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that he’s preparing as if the receiver won’t be on the field against the Jets.
“I mean, we’re getting close to playing a game. So, like, my mind is completely on preparing for a game without those guys,” Shanahan said of Aiyuk and OT Trent Williams, who is also holding out for a new deal.
Kyle Shanahan says the 49ers preparing to play week one WITHOUT Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams.
He says he feels “optimistic” about Trent Williams return but since he doesn’t know what day exactly they will sign he must prepare to be without them.
“I mean, we’re getting… pic.twitter.com/Bas3P2AywC
— Kevin Krueger (@kevinkruegs) August 28, 2024
That doesn’t mean plans can’t change, of course. If Aiyuk and the 49ers suddenly came to an agreement Thursday, that would still leave 11 days for him to prepare for the Jets since San Francisco doesn’t play until “Monday Night Football.” In that scenario, it would be hard to imagine the 49ers playing without him.
On the other hand, a contract agreement or Aiyuk giving up his holdout and rejoining practice — don’t appear imminent. The 49ers are likely focusing on the Jets as each day passes, and Aiyuk isn’t on the field for those preparations.
