49ers training camp: 5 differences we’ve seen from Week 1 to Week 2
By Peter Panacy
49ers training camp difference No. 3: Brandon Aiyuk a budding star
There’s no such thing as a 49ers training camp MVP, but if there was, it’d likely go to third-year wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
It was hard to judge Aiyuk during the first week of camp, as the Niners offense was notably slower and clunkier. And despite Aiyuk getting plenty of primary looks before Deebo Samuel finally returned to the field after inking his lucrative contract extension, there weren’t exactly a ton of standout moments.
All that changed in Week 2, though.
Kyle Shanahan on the emergence of Brandon Aiyuk:
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) August 6, 2022
“He’s developing all the stuff he needed to do to get better. He comes off the ball every play and runs full speed every play. He’s not slow playing stuff anymore…That’s why he’s getting better right now.”#49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/grLQkFIk83
Aiyuk hasn’t just had the occasional highlight-reel catch in camp, but he’s also consistently a go-to option for quarterback Trey Lance, who started a quality rapport with the receiver at points back in 2021 and carried it over into offseason workouts before camp, too.
Read More: Trey Lance’s budding chemistry with Brandon Aiyuk is great news
It’s not hard to find glowing reviews of Aiyuk’s efforts, mainly from Week 2 of training camp, and it’s hard to fathom the receiver was once in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s proverbial doghouse a year ago at this time.
The 2020 first-round draft pick has certainly come a long way.