What Brandon Aiyuk’s next contract with the 49ers could look like, according to former NFL GM – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 49ers’ contract negotiations with Brandon Aiyuk are understandably tricky, as the franchise wants to operate at a lower cost while the All-Pro receiver wants top dollar.

However, former NFL general manager Randy Mueller believes San Francisco should be able to decide on a fair number to get a deal done.

Mueller shared what he thinks Aiyuk’s next potential contract with the 49ers will look like in his latest article for The Athletic.

“Ultimately, I expect Aiyuk to sign for around $30-32 million per year, with around $50 million fully guaranteed,” Mueller wrote (h/t Kirk Larrabee of 49ers Webzone). “That would give him a solid foundation.”

“The question then becomes: Do the 49ers value him significantly more than their other options, even if it’s a little bit more than they budgeted for? I think a deal will be done before camp starts, when time is of the essence.”

Aiyuk believes he deserves the high price tag, as he just completed his second straight season with 1,000 receiving yards.

Additionally, 49ers quarterback and 2023 NFL MVP candidate Brock Purdy has made Aiyuk his top target over the past two seasons.

Rival receivers have gotten significant raises this offseason, which also helps Aiyuk’s case. Mueller noted that the Detroit Lions’ recent $120 million, four-year deal with Amon-Ra St. Brown gives a clearer picture of what the 49ers should expect to offer Aiyuk.

“The black mark for the 49ers is St. Brown’s contract,” Mueller wrote. “Most NFL players consider Aiyuk a better player than St. Brown, whose contract has sparked much discussion behind the scenes within the league. It’s the only asset Aiyuk has that might carry some weight with the 49ers’ brass. Because of that contract alone, they might have to move to $31 million per year.”

Mueller also believes San Francisco has the upper hand in contract negotiations with Aiyuk. With the 49ers’ surplus of offensive weapons, coupled with the evolution of the CBA and the infamous franchise tag, San Francisco can continue to drag its feet.

“Aiyuk is the short straw,” Mueller added. “He has a 2024 contract that will pay him $14.1 million, and under the current collective bargaining agreement, not participating in training camp is not a viable option.

If the 49ers wanted to play hardball, they could play Aiyuk for that and then franchise tag him for 2025.

“The wide receiver price (which Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals received this offseason) is worth $21.8 million in 2024. It is expected to increase by almost $25 million in 2025, which would put Aiyuk at around $39 million dollars over the next two years. “I’m not saying the 49ers should play hardball, but they could if they wanted to. It’s leverage. Obviously Aiyuk’s reps know that.”

Aiyuk and the 49ers, each in their own way – often cryptically – have expressed interest in extending their partnership. This is probably the best scenario for both sides and for football fans around the world.

But until the ink dries, San Francisco will likely continue to explore avenues to improve its roster while playing the waiting game with its prized receiver.

No one knows for sure where Aiyuk will play, if he knows, next season.

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