San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has addressed recent reports concerning wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Silver, Shanahan was reportedly “bothered” by Aiyuk’s behavior and his “perceived brooding.” This was followed by another report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, stating that Aiyuk had a meeting with Shanahan and other team officials where “open and candid thoughts were expressed.” It was also reported that the 49ers and Aiyuk’s representatives have restarted contract negotiations.
When asked about the reports, Shanahan chose not to delve into specifics. “I’m not going to share personal stuff between us or any conversations,” he said, keeping details of the meeting private.
Aiyuk is currently under contract with the 49ers for the upcoming season, set to earn $14.1 million. However, he is due for a significant pay raise, which could lead the 49ers to either meet his demands or explore trading him to a team willing to do so.
In addition to Aiyuk’s situation, left tackle Trent Williams also has unresolved contract issues. Williams remains on the reserve/did not report list, with fines totaling $1.75 million after missing the team’s preseason opener. His current contract, signed in 2021, pays him an average of $23.01 million per season, making him the sixth-highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, but he has no guaranteed money left on his deal, which extends through 2026.
Shanahan clarified that the contract situations of Aiyuk and Williams are separate and do not influence each other. While he expressed optimism about resolving Williams’ situation, he noted that there were no new developments. “I am hopeful about it. I feel good about that. I feel optimistic about it, but nothing’s changed there,” Shanahan said.
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