San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch wasn’t interested in putting odds on the team re-signing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but he does understand the urgency of the matter.
According to multiple reports, Aiyuk holds contract offers from the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He hasn’t accepted the offer from the 49ers and remains a non-participant in practice over his dissatisfaction with his contract status.
So, in Lynch’s mind, what are the odds that Aiyuk wears a 49ers uniform this season?
“You know, I’m not going to characterize any chances or anything,” Lynch said Friday on KNBR. “I can tell you this, it’s been a long, arduous, hard process, a hard journey. We started this early and for whatever reason haven’t been able to get it across the finish line. That’s been frustrating, but the communication still has been really good both with Brandon and his agent, and we’re trying to figure out solutions.
“You know I’m always hopeful. I’m an optimistic person in nature, and I’m always hopeful that we’ll get there and get there soon. I can tell you, we feel the urgency to have him, the season’s approaching, and we have ample time.”
Lynch dismissed the notion of any animosity between the 49ers and Aiyuk.
“No, there’s not bad blood,” he said. “I mean, negotiations can get heated; I think it’s his first time going through that, but no bad blood. I mean people that are here see Brandon out here, there’s a lot of love and respect for the relationship we’ve had and continue to have and, hopefully, will have into the future.”
The Steelers were permitted a window to discuss a long-term contract with Aiyuk and settled on trade terms with Lynch, NFL Network reported Tuesday, should the 49ers decide to trade him.
Amid stalled contract talks with the 49ers, Aiyuk was pursued by the New England Patriots and Steelers. NFL Network and ESPN reported Aiyuk declined the trade to New England.
The No. 25 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk is scheduled to earn $14.124 million in 2024 on the fifth-year team option linked to his rookie deal.
Aiyuk, 26, topped the 49ers with 75 receptions and 1,342 yards and caught seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023.
He has 269 catches for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns in 62 career games (60 starts).