Why the 49ers Have to Extend Brandon Aiyuk's Contract

The 49ers are playing hardball with Brandon Aiyuk.

They want him to think they have leverage in their current contract-extension negotiations. Want him to think they could trade him to another team if he demands too much money and that 49ers fans will understand if he's gone.

They're bluffing.

The 49ers have no choice but to extend Aiyuk's contract and privately they have to understand that. And the reason is quite simple: They extended Deebo Samuel's contract, and Aiyuk is clearly better than him.

Remember, the 49ers gave Samuel a three-year, $71.55 million contract two years ago when he was coming off the only 1,000-receiving-yard season of his five-year career. Compare him to Aiyuk, who has increased his production every year of his career, and has had back-to-back 1,000-yard-receiving seasons. Aiyuk's resume is simply better than Samuel's was when he got extended.

In addition, Aiyuk is more durable than Samuel, stays in better shape than Samuel and practices harder than Samuel. So if Samuel is a captain who's worth nearly $24 million per season, than Aiyuk should be a captain as well who's worth more than $24 million per season.

Aiyuk is more important to the future of the franchise than Samuel. Aiyuk is a foundational player, someone they can build around for a long time. He's one of the youngest leaders on the team, and he has outstanding chemistry on the field with Brock Purdy.

So if the 49ers trade any of their wide receivers, it has to be Samuel. Trading Aiyuk instead would be organizational malpractice.