Insider predicts futures of 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel

In a mailbag published on Wednesday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated offered a prediction regarding the unsettled future of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. 

"I see the San Francisco 49ers making a strong effort to get Brandon Aiyuk signed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, at some point, they break through and an extension gets done," Breer wrote. 

Aiyuk remains in the final year of his rookie contract and has stayed away from the 49ers during the voluntary portion of organized team activities as he looks to secure an extension. 

The two sides reportedly aren't close to coming to terms on an agreement, but general manager John Lynch previously suggested he'll hold onto both Aiyuk and fellow receiver Deebo Samuel through the offseason even though San Francisco made wideout Ricky Pearsall the 31st overall pick of this year's draft. 

Samuel is signed through the 2025 season and has been the subject of trade rumors since before the player-selection process. 

"I now get the feeling San Francisco might just choose to keep Aiyuk (and tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey) over Deebo Samuel," Breer continued. "Samuel’s a great player, but he’s not a true No. 1 receiver who can consistently win in man coverage like Aiyuk is, and I think that’d make him a little more of a luxury than a necessity given the embarrassment of riches the Niners have."

Aiyuk became the favorite target of quarterback Brock Purdy in Purdy's first full season as a starter. According to ESPN stats, Aiyuk led the team this past campaign with 75 receptions and 1,342 receiving yards. Aiyuk, Samuel and McCaffrey all recorded seven touchdown catches. 

Interestingly, Breer also mentioned that the 49ers should want to get a deal done with Aiyuk before Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson "blows the market for his position up." 

Jefferson, arguably the best receiver in the NFL, reportedly "wants to be paid like some quarterbacks" and could be looking for "a deal that includes fully guaranteed money that is at or close to $100M." 

Similar to Aiyuk's situation, there's no indication Jefferson is close to putting pen to paper on an extension heading into Memorial Day weekend.