Brandon Aiyuk faces massive repercussions if he holds out during training camp

With Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers locked in a contractual stare-down, it's fair to wonder if he'll opt to show up for training camp.

The San Francisco 49ers typically don't like to engineer contract extensions with their top stars until right at the beginning of training camp.

Exactly why they approach things this way is anyone's guess, especially after the market tends to only increase over the offseason months. But, that's the situation they tend to find themselves in on nearly a yearly basis.

And it's what they're facing with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk, who recently requested a trade after an elongated standoff with the Niners regarding his own extension talks, reportedly seeks a deal worth an average of $30 million per year, whereas San Francisco is apparently more comfortable at about $26 million per year.

Additionally, sticking to his proverbial guns, Aiyuk opted to skip mandatory minicamp last month, which can result in a fine north of $100,000.

Now, the question on many fans' minds is whether or not Aiyuk will continue a holdout into training camp, which begins for the 49ers on Thursday, July 25.

What happens if Brandon Aiyuk holds out from 49ers training camp?

CBS Sports' Joel Corry, a former NFL agent, recently broke down the context of a number of players who are seeking new contracts this offseason and could opt to hold out during training camp.

Not surprisingly, Aiyuk was part of the discussion.

Holding out might drive home the point Aiyuk wants what he feels he's worth to the team, especially after leading the Niners in receiving yards for back-to-back seasons.

Per Corry, though, the cost associated with holding out could get awfully steep:

"Aiyuk, who is scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, has expressed his displeasure with his contract situation at various points during the offseason on different social media platforms. His frustration has apparently reached a boiling point with the request of a trade. The 49ers didn't waste any time in publicly stating that Aiyuk isn't on the trading block."

Corry also reminded readers that players who are still on their rookie contracts, as is the case with Aiyuk, can incur fines of $40,000 per day, plus one week's pay for any preseason game missed.

Additionally, players can forfeit significant workout bonuses if they opt to skip training camp.

49ers didn't fine Nick Bosa during his holdout, would they fine Brandon Aiyuk?

A year ago at this time, star San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa was holding out before becoming the league's highest-paid non-quarterback entering 2023, and that holdout extended all through camp and nearly cut into the regular season.

But the 49ers opted not to fine him, citing his fully guaranteed fifth-year option as a reason.

Corry pointed out one key difference, though: a change in levied fines under the new collective bargaining agreement that went into place in 2020.

Bosa signed his rookie deal in 2019, a year before the new CBA went into effect. Aiyuk was drafted in 2020.

Under the new agreement, teams are required to fine players who skip training camp. It's no longer optional, meaning Aiyuk could incur fines of $40,000 per day if he continues to hold out.

It won't take long before such fines get expensive.

There is, however, another option that Aiyuk could pursue: the hold-in.

Corry wrote:

"A new tactic, the "hold in," began emerging for players to try to get contract unhappiness addressed because of the harsh economic consequences of a holdout under the 2020 CBA. A player will report to training camp but won't practice or have limited participation in an effort to get a new contract."

Aiyuk may opt to pursue this path instead of holding out, essentially showing up to camp but electing not to participate in any on-field drills until some sort of compromise is reached, up to and including his extensions.

Either way, July 25 is a date worth watching. If Aiyuk shows up, it's a better sign for all parties, including him.

If not, the saga surrounding his extension talks will only deepen.

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