49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan Explains Brandon Aiyuk’s Preseason Game Appearance Amid Contract Talks

The San Francisco 49ers will enter the 2024 season as one of the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. While that may be the case, the 49ers still have some issues to deal with, as we are a little over two weeks away from the start of the season.

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The contract talks with All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is one issue that still lingers. Aiyuk has been in the headlines all offseason long as he remains in a “hold-in” and is looking for his next contract. While that is happening, it appears that all is fine with the two sides.

Aiyuk surprised some folks Friday night when he showed up on the road for the 49ers preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. If AIyuk showed up, that must surely mean that they are close to a contract, right?

Think again.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the situation, and once again, he kept it short and sweet.

“No,” Shanahan said. He also denied that he considers it a distraction.

Shanahan went on to explain why Aiyuk made the trip out to Vegas.

“Anyone who’s on our team, we want to make the trip, especially if we think they’re healthy,” Shanahan said. “That’s why we had him do it.”

While that should be a sigh of relief for the 49ers fanbase, a contract between the two sides has yet to be resolved. From the latest reports, Aiyuk still wants roughly $30 million annually, which would put him up there with some of the best wide receivers in the league, like Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown, Eagles’ A.J. Brown, and Vikings’ Justin Jefferson.

Although Aiyuk is around the team, it doesn’t mean that he is in line for the contract he so desperately desires. It’s a good thing that AIyuk is healthy and ready to go if possible, but it also doesn’t mean that a trade is out of the realm of possibility.

The 26-year-old is coming off his first-ever All-Pro season, where he recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and averaged 17.9 yards per reception. The 49ers drafted the former Sun Devil in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Aiyuk is set to enter his fifth season in the NFL.

As the season fast approaches, all eyes will be on the 49ers and Aiyuk to see if a deal will be done. If not, he will likely don new team colors or hold out to get what he wants.

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