SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After one of the turbulent — and public — contract negotiations in current reminiscence, San Francisco 49ers large receiver Brandon Aiyuk would not imagine that any arduous emotions between him and the workforce will linger.
When requested Tuesday if he and the Niners can transfer previous the back-and-forth that led to the four-year, $120 million contract extension he signed Friday, Aiyuk acknowledged the position he performed in extending the negotiations.
“I am not going to lie: I made it a bit bit harder than it wanted to on the finish,” Aiyuk mentioned in his first feedback since signing his new deal. “I imply, it was like that for me, I am not going to say the entire whole time, however for concerning the previous month, I believe we have been fairly good.”
When the Niners returned to the sector for Tuesday’s “bonus” follow in preparation for Monday evening’s opener towards the visiting New York Jets, Aiyuk was in his No. 11 jersey and dealing in his common spot with the opposite wideouts. It was Aiyuk’s first follow with the workforce for the reason that Friday earlier than Tremendous Bowl LVIII, a span of 207 days. These days have been largely marked by the strained negotiations between the workforce and Aiyuk that noticed him take typically to social media to air his grievances about not solely how they have been going however how lengthy they have been taking.
At varied factors, Aiyuk tried to use strain to the Niners to get a deal performed.
In March, Aiyuk used his social media platform for emojis that translated to “cash talks, bulls— walks” after normal supervisor John Lynch insisted on the league conferences that the workforce wished to pay Aiyuk. The receiver stayed away from the workforce’s offseason program and did not present up for the full-squad minicamp in early June, incurring $101,000 in fines.
Earlier than San Francisco opened coaching camp in July, Aiyuk formally requested a commerce then promptly reported to camp on time with the remainder of his teammates and mentioned he was coping with again and neck soreness that will hold him off form and stop the Niners from fining him for not collaborating.
When requested about his willingness to exert leverage throughout the negotiations, Aiyuk did not draw back from it.
“A squeaky wheel needs to be silent someday and know when to squeak,” Aiyuk mentioned. “[I was] simply [finding] that complete stability.”
Throughout his hold-in, Aiyuk attended conferences and workforce actions however didn’t follow. On Tuesday, Aiyuk mentioned it was unusual to be there for every little thing else then watch his teammates swimsuit up and go follow with out becoming a member of them.
“That was most likely the toughest half about the entire thing simply because at that time you bought the remainder of the workforce concerned,” Aiyuk mentioned. “I am right here each single day; they’re suiting up on the brink of exit to follow, and I am not.
“It was a bit awkward, however I believe it labored out the way it wanted to.”
For many of the hold-in, Aiyuk and the Niners have been unsure how it will all play out. Regardless of preliminary reticence, the Niners finally started fielding commerce provides for the star wideout and gave Aiyuk permission to barter contracts with groups.
Parameters of proposed trades with the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns shortly have been put in place, however Aiyuk rejected these touchdown spots. One other deal was shut with the Pittsburgh Steelers, however once more, neither the Niners nor Aiyuk actually wished to separate.
All through all of it, Aiyuk mentioned he needed to “get my thoughts proper” to a commerce being a risk. And though Aiyuk indicated it is “simple” to say now, he does agree with the notion that he all the time wished to stay with the workforce he grew up rooting for in his hometown of Rocklin, California, a few three-hour drive northeast from the workforce facility.
“I believe I simply had a really feel for what I wished,” Aiyuk mentioned. “Not simply by way of cash however in all these issues [such as long-term team success and quarterback play], and finally, I wished to be right here. I ended up being right here, so I am joyful. I am good. I am able to go.”
With Aiyuk and left sort out Trent Williams again within the fold after the latter signed his personal reworked contract Tuesday, the Niners return about 87% of their offensive snaps from a unit that was close to the highest of the league in lots of main classes final season.
The enhance Aiyuk and Williams supplied was unmistakable within the locker room Tuesday afternoon.
“A bunch of power within the constructing,” wideout Jauan Jennings mentioned. “To have our workforce again simply means every little thing, and now we’re locked and loaded able to go for Week 1.”
For his half, Aiyuk mentioned a number of occasions Tuesday that he feels “gentle” with the load of the contract negotiations not hanging over his head. When it comes to conditioning, Aiyuk mentioned he will likely be able to go towards the Jets on Monday evening after he will get three extra practices this week, calling himself “tremendous excited,” “recent” and “renewed.”
Coming into this season, Aiyuk is aiming to high his breakout 2023 marketing campaign, throughout which he completed with 1,342 receiving yards and was second within the NFL in yards per reception (17.9) and first in yards per goal (12.9) on his method to incomes second-team All-Professional honors.
Aiyuk additionally acknowledged there may be further strain to exceed that manufacturing now that he is likely one of the highest-paid wideouts within the league.
“However that is the rationale why I’ll receives a commission in a such method,” Aiyuk mentioned. “As a result of that is the kind of participant I imagine I’m, and that is the participant I need to proceed to be and that is the participant that I attempt to be. I believe it is extra so placing that strain on myself.”
