Brandon Aiyuk is coming off the first Pro Bowl season of his career. Can he replicate it, or is he on the verge of a down season?
is coming off the first Pro Bowl season of his career. Can he replicate it, or is he on the verge of a down season?
Aiyuk certainly is an outstanding wide receiver and one of the best route runners in the NFL as well as an exceptional blocker. But last season may have been an outlier for Aiyuk. He averaged a whopping 17.9 yards per catch, which nearly led the entire NFL. A very impressive statistic. But the previous season, he averaged just 13.0 yards per catch. And the season before that, he averaged 14.8 yards per catch.
So it's likely Aiyuk will have a statistical regression this season. He probably won't catch more than 75 passes because the 49ers run the ball so much, and he probably will average fewer than 17.9 yards per catch. In addition, he skipped OTAs and minicamp and might skip training camp and preseason too unless the 49ers extend his contract soon. And if he misses an entire offseason, it seems highly unlikely that he will replicate his career-best performance from last season when he missed zero offseason practices.
That's why the 49ers would be wise to wait before giving Aiyuk an extension. Make him prove that 2023 wasn't an aberration. Make him show that he can be a Pro Bowler even without a full offseason. Before if he misses the Pro Bowl, he'll be seen as a one-hit wonder and his price tag will go down.Grant Cohn has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily since 2011.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brandon Aiyuk speaks about ‘dirty’ negotiations, options outside 49ersBrandon Aiyuk envisions himself returning to the 49ers but he said on The Pivot podcast he could also see himself with the Washington Commanders or the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Read more »
Brandon Aiyuk Drops One-Liner to Let 49ers Know Where He Stands in Contract TalksThe star receiver wants to be paid—and paid big bucks.
Read more »
Brandon Aiyuk is Displeased That the 49ers Leaked his Contract NumbersBrandon Aiyuk appeared on The Pivot podcast where he revealed he is displeased with the 49ers over having the numbers on his contract extension leaked during negotiations. Here is what he had to say.
Read more »
Brandon Aiyuk is Back Inside the 49ers FacilityThe Brandon Aiyuk Saga might come to an end soon. Aiyuk just posted a video of himself on social media entering the 49ers facility first thing this morning. In the video, he appears to be in an extremely good mood.
Read more »
49ers Could be Using 2024 to Pick Between Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo SamuelThe 49ers put themselves in a flexible position where they can use the 2024 season to choose who they will retain for the foreseeable future between Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
Read more »
Brandon Aiyuk Shouldn't Drag on Holdout With San Francisco 49ersHolding out (or in) with the 49ers during training camp is likely what will occur for Brandon Aiyuk, but it isn't something he should drag on. Here is why.
Read more »