Wait, why are we talking about Iyuk?
Money and Productivity. The 2020 first-round pick from Arizona State led the 49ers in receiving over the past two seasons and had a career-best year with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches (including one). Acrobatic catch (which led to a comeback in the NFC Championship Game). His 17.9 yards per reception ranked second in the NFL, and his seven 100-yard games were the most in a season for a 49er since Jerry Rice in 1995.
Simply put: Ayuk is a great guy.
But he has been a hot topic for months as contract negotiations have faltered.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Aiyuk wants to be “at least in the same league as star wideouts Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders and Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins,” whose contracts average about $28 million per season. Garafolo reported that the 49ers last made Aiyuk a contract offer in May.
It appears Aiyuk has drawn the commanders into the conversation in an attempt to pressure the 49ers.
After his team lost the Super Bowl, he expressed his frustration on Instagram, writing, “Don’t forget what got you there.” In the months that followed, he expressed his frustration in interviews and social media posts, some of which included Daniels.
Aiyuk told Daniels in a FaceTime conversation that the 49ers “don’t want me back.” This month, he shared screenshots of Daniels’ offseason practice videos with the Commanders. Aiyuk also brought Daniels in for an interview. pivot Podcast.
When asked on the podcast what uniform he’ll be wearing this season, Aiyuk said, “If I had to guess, it’s probably the Niners uniform. It’s probably the Niners uniform. But if it’s not the Niners uniform, it’s probably the Washington Commander uniform. If it’s not the Washington Commander uniform, it’s probably the Steelers uniform.”
What’s the situation with IU and the 49ers?
A trade request rarely prevents the two sides from reaching an agreement sooner rather than later. The 49ers have a history of making deals with top players before the final season of their contracts.
And the 49ers have leverage here. Aiyuk is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, which is worth about $14.1 million. If he doesn’t report to training camp next week, he could be fined $40,000 a day, and if he misses a preseason game, he could be fined one week’s base salary.
The team could forgive the fine, as it did last season when it ended a holdout to sign star defensive end Nick Bosa to a long-term contract after an All-Pro season. The finances are in San Francisco’s favor.
What are the odds that the 49ers will trade Ayuk?
Low. The 49ers are trying to win the Super Bowl, and they have reportedly made it clear that they have no plans to trade Aiyuk to the team. If they were going to trade Aiyuk, they probably would have done so before the draft. Then they could have used the pick to build their roster.
Aiyuk’s situation seems to follow a familiar pattern: The 49ers have been negotiating with stars over the years, including tight end George Kittle (signed Aug. 13, 2020), linebacker Fred Warner (July 21, 2021), wide receivers Deebo Samuel (July 31, 2022) and Bosa (Sept. 6).
If the 49ers were to consider trading him, what would the Commanders do, and at what price?
It seems unlikely. One person familiar with the Commanders’ thinking said general manager Adam Peters will not miss an opportunity to improve the team and will do due diligence on every player. Peters knows Aiyuk well from his time in San Francisco. But Peters has also publicly stated that he will not mortgage the Commanders’ future for one player and wants to grow the team through the draft. His roster moves this offseason have been consistent with that philosophy.
Giving up draft assets to acquire a wide receiver. Then Paying him a significant contract would be against the Commanders’ agenda when the team already has $24.1 million in salary cap space for Terry McLaurin this season and another $25 million next season. A more reasonable scenario would be a player-for-player trade. But such deals are rare, and would the Commanders really give up their respected captain? Probably not.
How will Aiyuk help the commanders?
The commander has three wide Receivers who could be on the list (as long as a new coaching staff can lock up any player): McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, rookie Luke McCaffrey. The rest of the jobs are up for grabs, and Washington could need more elite pass catchers and playmakers for Daniels. Aiyuk is already connection When Daniels took the field.
What are the potential downsides of the Aiyuk deal?
Cost. Even if the 49ers were open to moving Aiyuk, they wouldn’t be giving away a player of his caliber for cheap. Any team that trades for him would have to be willing to pay for the player long-term after acquiring him. Picks and salary cap space are essential for any team, but especially for a team in a rebuilding phase like the Commanders.
What would be the most logical outcome?
Aiyuk is playing for the 49ers, at least for this season. Given San Francisco’s history of signing players before the end of their contracts, the same could happen with Aiyuk. If not, the 49ers can use the franchise tag on him in 2025.
