49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk targets Amon-Ra St. Brown is worth $120 million to get a new contract

Receiver Brandon Aiyuk did not show up for San Francisco 49ers organized team activities (OTAs) last week, which was expected as the two sides navigate a contract dispute.

Aiyuk and the 49ers are reportedly no closer to agreeing to a contract extension, According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. This has led to speculation that the fourth year will request a trade if he cannot get the deal he wants. However, Ayuk’s agent tells the recipient He didn’t ask to go out San Francisco, despite unfollowing the team on social media.

However, another contract recently signed by an NFL wide receiver may have provided the number Aiyuk and his representative wanted in a new deal. Just before the NFL Draft, Amon-Ra St. Louis signed Amon-Ra. Brown signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Detroit Lions that included $77 million in guaranteed money. Clearly, this has set the level Ayuk wants to reach; According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“[Aiyuk] He doesn’t need to be the highest-paid player in the league, Fowler reported on NFL Live, “but he’s done enough and accomplished enough in that offense where he probably needs to be at that number or higher.”

While this sets a number to work from, the stat disparity between Aiyuk and St. Brown will likely be a sticking point for the 49ers in negotiations.

Last season, St. Brown compiled 119 receptions (on 164 targets) for 1,515 yards, 10 touchdowns and 75 first downs. Aiyuk caught 75 passes (on 105 targets) for 1,342 yards, seven scores and 61 first downs.

However, Aiyuk can point to an offense that also features George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey as a big reason why he has 59 fewer targets. Although he doesn’t look as good as St. Brown, he still leads the 49ers in catches and receiving yards.

Aiyuk is set to receive $14.1 million on his fifth-year option for the 2024-25 season. According to Spotrac. That’s less than the $30 million average annual salary St. Brown will receive from his new deal. But St. Brown was also two years away from free agency and would make that happen $4.9 million for 2024-25 From his original contract.

AJ Brown earns the highest annual salary among receivers at $32 million with the $96 million extension he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Behind him are St. Brown and the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill. According to Overcap.

Is this where Aiyuk wants his paycheck to come in? Do the 49ers feel he’s as valuable to their offense as those other three – especially with other star talent pushing, particularly quarterback Brock Purdy? The team is also expected to be over the cap by $23.9 million in 2025.

These questions represent the negotiating limbo in which Aiyuk and the 49ers currently find themselves.