Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers remain locked in a contract dispute, but a new report indicates that the team is well aware of precisely what Aiyuk is looking for.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on “NFL Live” that Aiyuk is using Amon-Ra St. Brown’s recent contract extension as a benchmark in talks with the 49ers. While Aiyuk is not necessarily seeking to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the league, he would like to beat the $28 million average annual value that St. Brown got from the Detroit Lions.
“The benchmark here is Amon-Ra St. Brown. He got $28 million a year on a four-year deal from Detroit,” Fowler said. The goal, it appears, is for Aiyuk to try to beat that. He doesn’t need to be the highest-paid in the league, but he’s done enough and he’s accomplished enough in that offense where he’s going to probably need to be at that number or higher.”
Fowler added that Aiyuk and the 49ers have been in talks, though no deal is imminent right now.
Considering Aiyuk had a pretty immediate reaction to St. Brown’s new deal, it is not a huge shock that the 49ers standout would use that as a template. That sort of contract would essentially double his salary, as he is due $14 million in 2024 under the final season of his rookie contract.
Aiyuk continued to blossom into a star in 2023, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
