The San Francisco 49ers are set to bring back the majority of their key players for the upcoming 2024 NFL season. As a result, they are considered strong contenders to return to the Super Bowl next year. However, the front office will face significant decisions in the coming months, particularly regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
The 49ers have the opportunity to create salary cap space by extending Aiyuk’s contract. Currently, his 5th-year option carries a cap hit of $14.1 million, which is fully guaranteed and cannot be restructured. By extending him, the team can reduce his cap hit for the 2024 season and free up additional cap space.
Aiyuk had a breakout season the previous year, leading the 49ers in catches, yards, and tying for the most receiving touchdowns on the team. However, his production declined during the playoffs, where he only caught three passes in each of the team’s postseason games, including the Super Bowl. This lackluster performance led to frustration, evident through Aiyuk’s family members expressing dissatisfaction on social media and Aiyuk himself appearing visibly unhappy during his exit interviews after the Super Bowl loss.
One of the main concerns surrounding Aiyuk is his contract. In 2024, he will enter the 5th year of his rookie contract, which will provide him with a substantial salary for the upcoming season. However, it is expected that he will seek long-term security before the start of training camp.
The 49ers may approach Aiyuk’s contract extension with caution, considering their long-term financial situation. While they currently have a reasonable amount of cap space compared to other NFL teams for the 2024 season, many of their key players will demand higher salaries in the following years. Therefore, the team might be inclined to reduce costs wherever possible.
However, giving Aiyuk the desired extension could actually result in short-term savings for the 49ers. Currently, he is owed $14.1 million for the 2024 season under his 5th year option. If the team were to offer him a contract that increases in value after the initial year or two, this number would decrease. Nonetheless, there would be long-term salary cap implications to consider.
Alternatively, the 49ers could explore the option of trading Aiyuk to a team willing to provide him with a multi-year contract for added security.
According to the Source sportslens.com