The split between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers has not been a pretty one. While it may not hurt him this season, quarterback Brock Purdy stands to lose the most from the whole situation turning so sour.
Purdy has always spoken glowingly about Aiyuk. When there was the drama surrounding Aiyuk's contract negotiation and his trade request two offseasons ago, Purdy said Aiyuk was the kind of guy you want to play your whole career with.
But unfortunately, that is not going to come to fruition.
Recently, Purdy was asked about what the Niners miss with Aiyuk, and he went through everything the wide receiver does well when he's on, from getting yards after the catch to blocking downfield and everything in between. It is clear that Purdy is going to miss having Aiyuk to throw to going forward.
We saw what the two were capable of doing in 2023 when they were both healthy and on the field for a full season. Both had career years that season, as Purdy was in the MVP conversation, and Aiyuk racked up 1,342 receiving yards and had seven touchdowns on the year.
The chemistry the two had was palpable and probably a big reason why the Niners ultimately caved and gave him that four-year, $120 million extension was because they were envisioning a future in which Purdy and Aiyuk had that connection on offense for a long time.
That is not how things worked out as the two were not fully on the same page in 2024 after Aiyuk did not participate in training camp and was clearly rusty when he was back on the field after those acrimonious negotiations.
Then Aiyuk injured his knee last season and was out for roughly a year, but then it eventually became apparent that he would not be coming back at all as the 49ers voided his contract.
Going forward, Purdy may be the one hurt most by this divorce. We know Purdy is at his best when he has all of his weapons at his disposal, and going forward, it is unclear which wide receivers he will have to throw to.
Ricky Pearsall will be on the team next season and has proven he can be like Aiyuk when he is healthy, but Pearsall's health is going to be a big question going forward.
The 49ers will have to add another receiving threat into the mix either via the NFL Draft, with a trade, or through free agency.
Purdy can still have success going forward without Aiyuk, but it is a shame we will probably never get to see the two of them at the height of their powers on the same team after how good they looked in 2023.