Brandon Aiyuk holdout is the 'elephant in the room' as 49ers begin training camp

Veterans are to report to 49ers training camp today, and whether or not Brandon Aiyuk shows will be the focal point of the event.

Like it or not, the situation between the San Francisco 49ers and their star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, has become a distraction.

Perhaps it's not a huge one. After all, the Niners have been here before with plenty of their other stars: defensive end Nick Bosa a year ago, fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel the offseason before that and others, too.

Still, it's probably a situation San Francisco would prefer to have resolved as opposed to not.

While the two sides remain apart in contract extension talks, another question looms: Will Aiyuk physically show up to training camp?

Veterans are supposed to report on Tuesday, July 23, and there are already rumors he'll be a holdout:

The validity of this rumor isn't totally certain, although it does come on the heels of Aiyuk's recent trade request and very public admission that he's taken negotiations "personally."

But, the 49ers hold almost all the leverage. Aiyuk is under contract through 2024, and the Niners coudl apply the franchise tag on him for the next two years thereafter, should they so choose.

And, if the 2020 first-round NFL draftee opts to hold out, the associated fines could get awfully steep.

Brandon Aiyuk could show up to training camp but not participate

According to the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and players union, teams are required to fine players $40,000 per day for missing camp if they're still on their rookie contracts, a case that would apply to Aiyuk if he skips camp time.

However, there's a strategy the fifth-year receiver might opt to pursue.

Back in 2022, Samuel physically attended training camp despite his own extension talks having stalled, yet he opted not to participate in any on-field drills, choosing instead to work out on the sidelines.

In doing so, Samuel avoided the hefty fines but didn't risk any camp injury until a new deal was finally agreed upon.

That's an option Aiyuk could ultimately choose.

In contrast, Bosa held out almost into the regular season. However, since he was a 2019 draftee, the current CBA rules about camp fines didn't apply to him. They do for Aiyuk, however, since the current agreement was put into effect in 2020, the year the receiver was drafted.

Aiyuk has been public with many of his travel arrangements, so that might be something to monitor in the hours counting down until camp begins, and it also might carry over into the first few days of camp.

Even if Aiyuk accepts some fines for not attending early.

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