After a turbulent offseason filled with contract drama, Brandon Aiyuk made his return to the field for the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener against the New York Jets. However, his performance didn’t go unnoticed by Peyton Manning, who took the opportunity to deliver a sharp critique during ESPN2’s alternate broadcast of the game.
In a crucial moment just before halftime, Aiyuk had a chance to score when 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy targeted him in the end zone. But Aiyuk couldn’t hold onto the pass, forcing the 49ers to settle for a field goal. While the team still went into the break leading 16-7, the missed touchdown left plenty of room for analysis—and Peyton Manning wasn’t one to hold back.
On the Manning brothers’ broadcast, Eli Manning offered a diplomatic take, suggesting that Aiyuk might be “a little rusty” after missing much of the offseason. But Peyton, ever the perfectionist, was far more blunt in his assessment, pointing directly to Aiyuk’s prolonged contract dispute as the reason for the drop.
“Get signed. Get in training camp. There’s a reason for training camp—you need it. You need the reps,” Peyton said. “Get those contracts done earlier so he can get in training camp [so] we don’t drop balls on opening night.”
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Aiyuk, who had held out for most of the summer while negotiating a new deal, eventually signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers on August 29. However, the late timing of the deal meant he missed valuable training camp time, and Peyton wasn’t buying any excuses. He continued his rant, drawing on his own experience to emphasize the importance of preparation.
“You’re still catching balls at a high school field from some quarterback that’s 45 years old, my age,” Peyton added. “You’re not catching balls from your quarterback. Get signed, get in camp, and we don’t drop the ball.”
Eli attempted to soften the blow, noting that these kinds of mistakes “happen in camp,” but Peyton’s frustration highlighted a key point: the missed reps could prove costly.
Aiyuk’s offseason was not just about the contract holdout; there were also persistent trade rumors surrounding his future with the 49ers. FOX insider Jay Glazer reported that the team had been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers about potentially trading Aiyuk before ultimately re-signing the 26-year-old wide receiver.
Despite finally securing his big payday, Aiyuk’s performance in the season opener was relatively quiet. By midway through the fourth quarter, he had caught just two passes for 28 yards, a far cry from the impact the 49ers had been hoping for when they inked him to the lucrative deal.
The contract dispute, limited preparation, and missed opportunity in the end zone all seemed to play a part in what turned out to be an underwhelming night for Aiyuk.
But for Peyton Manning, the takeaway was clear: no matter the talent or potential, there’s no substitute for getting the necessary reps in training camp. And on opening night, it was a lesson learned the hard way.
