49ers rumored to be nowhere close to Brandon Aiyuk contract extension

For those thinking Brandon Aiyuk could receive an extension soon, signs are suggesting he and the 49ers are still far apart.

The San Francisco 49ers have one more major item on their offseason to-do list: sign star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a new contract.

Aiyuk, who led the Niners in receiving yards over each of the last two seasons, is entering the fully guaranteed fifth-year option of the rookie contract signed the year he was drafted, 2020, but he understandably wants a new deal that'll compensate him for the value he brings to the team.

San Francisco has repeatedly said it wants things to work out with Aiyuk. But, at least so far, there doesn't seem to be much movement toward an eventual extension.

In fact, Aiyuk was the subject of plenty of trade rumors up to and even during last month's NFL Draft.

While no trade materialized, and it's unclear if the 49ers ever got close to trading him, Aiyuk likely won't attend offseason workouts until a new deal is reached.

According to one NFL insider, the two sides aren't close to an agreement either.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler: 'Talks have not progressed enough' with Brandon Aiyuk

Speaking on Sports Center over the weekend (h/t 49ers Webzone), ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported on the Niners and Aiyuk not being close on a new extension.

It's not necessarily about the full potential value of the contract, as there can be disagreements about guaranteed money, incentives, escalators and such. Yet Fowler's report didn't go into much detail about whatever hangups might exist at the moment.

"He wants a new contract and has one year left," Fowler said. "I'm told the 49ers certainly are open to doing a deal, but talks have not progressed enough where things are close. And so, is he going to show up for their workouts? Hard to tell right now.

"The market is pretty set for him. Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit did that deal recently, about $28 million a year. So, that's something for Aiyuk and the 49ers to work off of, but I'm told they're not quite there yet."

It's definitely not time to panic, though.

For starters, Aiyuk is still under contract for 2024. Even if it meant a disgruntled receiver, the Niners don't have to extend him.

Plus, recent history shows San Francisco prefers to finalize such deals just before training camp. This was the case with All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and All-Pro tight end George Kittle when they received their respective extensions. And while defensive end Nick Bosa received his own extension late into camp a year ago, it still got done.

If this is going to be the case again, one probably won't expect Aiyuk's contract extension to be finalized until later this summer.

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