Report: Brandon Aiyuk wants bigger contract than Lions star WR

Brandon Aiyuk is looking to approach the top of the WR market on his next deal. 

The 49ers wide receiver is eyeing Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s recent extension with the Lions, and Aiyuk is hoping to sign a new deal “at that number or higher,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com.

Both St. Brown and Eagles wideout A.J. Brown helped to reset the receiver market this offseason. St. Brown inked a four-year, $120M extension with the Lions that included $77M in guaranteed money. 

While Brown’s contract with Philly was for only three years, he still managed to put himself atop the position in AAV ($32M) and total guarantees ($84M).

At the very least, it sounds like Aiyuk is hoping to approach a $30M AAV, a mark also reached by Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill. Aiyuk is currently tied to a $14.12M fifth-year option salary, and he’d be attached to a projected $24.7M salary in 2025 if he’s hit with the franchise tag next offseason (h/t to OverTheCap).

While the 49ers don’t necessarily have to extend Aiyuk to retain him beyond the 2024 season, it’s uncertain if even that franchise-tag value would be untenable. The team is currently projected to be more than $38M over the cap next season, and the front office has already committed big money at the position to Deebo Samuel.

Aiyuk is currently following Samuel’s strategy from 2023, as the receiver is skipping OTAs as he pursues a new deal. There were whispers that the 49ers were shopping both of their receivers ahead of the draft, and until Aiyuk signs a new deal, he’ll continue to be mentioned among trade candidates. 

The 49ers may have been preparing for a potential Aiyuk divorce during the draft. The team used a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall, adding the Florida product to what was already one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. 

The 49ers are also rostering Jauan Jennings and fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing.