Brandon Aiyuk is not aiming to become the NFL’s top-paid receiver as he enters contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Aiyuk’s target for his new contract is comparable to the deal the Detroit Lions secured for Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions extended St. Brown’s contract on April 24 for four years at $120.01 million, as reported by Spotrac, positioning him as the second-highest paid receiver in the league based on average annual salary. Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown recently inked a deal for $32 million annually.
St. Brown’s deal not only averages just over $30 million per year but also includes $77 million guaranteed.
Fowler notes that Aiyuk is looking to surpass St. Brown’s annual earnings, although a new agreement doesn’t seem imminent.
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The 49ers have been in discussions with Aiyuk for several months but reportedly remain far from striking a deal. The 26-year-old receiver is in the final year of his rookie contract valued at $14.1 million and could be tagged with the franchise designation if negotiations do not yield an extension by March 2025.
In efforts to potentially move up in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco considered trade offers for Aiyuk and fellow receiver Deebo Samuel, yet decided to retain both. The team also drafted wideout Ricky Pearsall this year.
A first-round pick in 2020, Aiyuk had a standout season last year with 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earning him a second-team All-Pro selection. The former Arizona State player has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in his last two seasons.
St. Brown, drafted in the fourth round by the Lions in 2021, achieved a first-team All-Pro selection in 2023 with 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 receptions.
Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb are among other receivers pursuing substantial contracts. Jefferson is anticipated to significantly raise the market for receivers, potentially becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback, while Lamb waits on Jefferson’s deal to set the market.
