49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk Believes he's Going to "Take Off" in 2023

Brandon Aiyuk is coming off of his best season as a pro.

He registered his first 1,000 receiving yard season while reeling in 78 catches for eight touchdowns. Aiyuk did all that while being the "fourth option," as Aiyuk has said, on a running offense. It is mightily impressive that he has done that on top of the fact he had three different quarterbacks last year. If this is the level that Aiyuk is going to be at, then he will have a fine career and the 49ers will thrive because of it.

And yet, Aiyuk believes he is only scratching surface as he heads into the 2023 season.

"I'm about to take off. That's it." Aiyuk said confidently following Wednesday's OTA practice. "Just getting a better understanding of my life as a person and as a football player. Kind of putting those two things together, and then just looking to get better, so I feel like now having another offseason on top, being able to build on top, coming out here again for another spring OTAs being able to work with those guys, being able to work on my craft and get better. Just continue to get better, that's really it and I see it."

This is what makes Aiyuk believe in his words, and he isn't wrong at all. If there is one thing that Aiyuk has proven through his three year career, it is that he continues to ascend. He gets better and better every upcoming than the last. The arrow is pointing upward and onward for Ayiuk. There is little reason to doubt that he won't topple the stats and impact he made in 2022. Much of that has to do with how underrated he feels, which goes back to his words of being the "fourth option" in the 49ers offense.

"That's just how it's been. I feel like it's supposed to be that way. That's what keeps me going, that's what keeps me motivated, keeps me angry in a sense." said Aiyuk.

I think we're going to get an incredibly "angry" Aiyuk in 2023. He's entering a contract year essentially with the 49ers. When 2023 is all said and done, he will be looking for an extension from the team. The last time a wide receiver on the 49ers was looking for an extension was Deebo Samuel in 2021. It is safe to say he was very "angry" and motivated that year. Just imagine Aiyuk who is a better receiver coming off an impressive season prior. It's going to be scary for opposing cornerbacks to match up with him

Is a Pro Bowl caliber season incoming for Aiyuk? I wouldn't bet against that given the upward trend Aiyuk has continue on since he entered the league.