Brandon Aiyuk Gains Leverage Over 49ers in Contract Negotiations

Brandon Aiyuk just gained some leverage in his contract extension negotiations with the 49ers thanks to movement in the wide receiver market.

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) against | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has to be rejoicing today.

That is because the Philadelphia Eagles extended receiver Devonta Smith to a four-year, $90.59M extension deal. It's really a three-year extension since Smith had his fifth-year option picked up, and those three years added $75 million to his deal.

It breaks down to a $25 million annual salary, which is something the San Francisco 49ers have to be keeping their eye on now. Aiyuk surely is and has to be smiling with joy as he gains leverage over the 49ers in contract negotiations.

Every wide receiver deal that gets done only bodes well for Aiyuk and hurts the 49ers. That is because Aiyuk gets the chance to get more than the last deal a receiver signed and essentially reset the market. So, the 49ers are going to have to start considering getting a deal done with Aiyuk soon.

The longer the wait, the tougher negotiations will get as there are more receivers out there that are expected to sign lucrative extensions. That includes Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb. Now, Aiyuk getting more than Jefferson and Lamb isn't likely, but he can at least push for more than Smith got and close to what those two elite receivers received.

The 49ers have no one to blame but themselves. They have this odd standard where they like to wait until July or August to lock in their players to a contract extension. It's tough to see what the benefit is to it, but they can't break their standard now for Aiyuk since they didn't last year for Nick Bosa.

Overall, this is excellent news for Aiyuk and not great for the 49ers.