Aiyuk’s personal trainer criticizes 49ers receiver’s contract status originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Brandão Aiyuk contract retention took a major turn earlier this week when sources told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco that the 49ers had the trade structure with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
THE situation has evolved in the days sincewith the Patriots withdrawing from Aiyuk trade talks and the Pittsburgh Steelers resuming talks with the 49ers.
While all of this is going on, it’s unclear if the 49ers and Aiyuk are still trying to negotiate a contract extension.
But Aiyuk’s personal trainer TJ Houshmandzadehwants the 49ers to fix things, and the former NFL wide receiver pointed the finger at coach Kyle Shanahan, in particular.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Houshmandzadeh told Mark T. Willard and Dan Dibley on 95.7 The Game on Thursday. “I mean, he’s like any other player. He just wants to play football like anyone would. I just want the 49ers to realize what they have and [for] Kyle Shanahan [to] fix this situation. It’s really disheartening when other teams – plural – are willing to pay you so much more than your own team. But you’re still willing to accept less to stay with your own team. It’s crazy.
“Like, figure this out, because you guys did this to DeForest Buckner. You guys remember that, right? They traded him to the [Indianapolis] Colts and drafted Javon Kinlaw because he was supposed to be the answer and I’m probably guessing that if DeForest Buckner was still with the Niners in recent years, they could have had a Super Bowl. He was very good up front. So don’t think you can recruit one guy and replace him. Like it’s not that easy and the Niners have been really, really good without Buckner, but they could have a Super Bowl if they had them. So don’t leave a total of [5 or 6] million dollars cost a Super Bowl.”
Shanahan and Aiyuk have had an up-and-down relationship over the past four seasons, with the former first-round draft pick eventually earning his coach’s trust and becoming a Second-team All-Pro selection.
Houshmandzadeh alluded to Aiyuk’s willingness to take less money from the 49ers, as opposed to the $32 million per season that other interested teams may be willing to pay the 26-year-old.
The former 11-year NFL veteran also suggested the difference between Aiyuk and the 49ers could be around $2 million per season.
“It might have been a little more than $32 [million],” Houshmandzadeh said to Willard and Dibley. “Now you have a team willing to pay so much and you’re not even asking that much of your own team. Like, come on, man. I’m sure the Niners are upset. They are ready for this to be over and I’m sure BA is upset and ready for this to be over. Just go back and find something that works, like [$28 million].
“You wouldn’t give him $28 million a year, but you would give him [$26 million]? Over three years, that’s $6 million. In the world of football… this is nothing. This is nothing. I know you have to worry about Trent Williams and Brock Purdy next year, but if Brandon Aiyuk isn’t on the Niners… they’ll still be a very good team… I don’t believe they’ll be in an NFC championship game. “
Contract extension talks between Aiyuk and the 49ers appear to have stalled in recent months, and while Houshmandzadeh acknowledged the financial aspect of the negotiations, he took more shots at Shanahan about how things are going.
“Obviously I think it’s about everything,” Houshmandzadeh told Willard and Dibley. “You want the average per year to be 28 if you’re with the Niners. The Niners want it to be 26. The total guarantee, give or take, some teams are going to offer more than others. You guys know more than I do. He refused to New England. What do you think that guarantee would be? Is it all about money? No, because he could have gone to a team that offered him a lot more.
“And just like Kyle Shanahan – he’s a stubborn person. He’s a great coach, but he’s a great coach who probably should have had two Super Bowls. Let’s go back to Atlanta when you’re calling plays. You should have won this. You should have won last season Patrick Mahomes threw the ball to Christian McCaffrey, the game is over, you are Super Bowl champions Just like there are some mistakes that BA may have made, Kyle Shanahan also made mistakes in coaching. your career and it doesn’t get easier to get rid of good players.”
Aiyuk, what is under contract with the 49ers for the 2024 NFL season, at $14.1 million, has a big decision to make. Although the Steelers are his preferred destination, Houshmandzadeh would be willing to invest in the Arizona State product, wanting to stay in San Francisco.
“I don’t know, but I bet he’d rather be a Niner,” Houshmandzadeh told Willard and Dibley. “I mean, there’s going to be hurt feelings on both sides. When things like that, it’s like arguing with your wife or girlfriend and stuff. When I’m mad, I might say some things that I don’t mean. I might say them, but I’m really not Speaking of them, I’m just saying this to make you mad and I’m sure there were some things said on both sides that could upset both parties, but I told him that. I’m going to stay with the Niners.
“And then it’s up to John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan and… Jed York, listen to this Jed York, make it happen Jed York, Jed York make it happen. Don’t let feelings come into play. When it comes to business, you can’t let your feelings get in the way of business. It’s a shame when another team appreciates your talent more than the team that drafted you. ‘Well, show me. You’re not giving anyone less. [fifth-year option]? Bosa no. Not Deebo. Why do I have to do this? Players look at things like this and want to be rewarded fairly.”
Houshmandzadeh has made it clear he has a preferred outcome – it remains to be seen whether that will happen.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, man, but I know what I want to happen,” Houshmandzadeh told Willard and Dibley. “I’m being very, very honest when I say that. I want them to stick with the Niners, man. As much as I hate to say this because my friends will talk bad about me all year long because they’re always winning now, but I feel deep in his heart, this is where he wants to be. he should be. I think it’s really cool to be able to sign a second contract with the team that drafted you and always have the potential to win a Super Bowl.
“Feelings are hurt along the way in this type of negotiation. A negotiation is where both parties bend and give in a little and you come away from the negotiation feeling like you both gave up a lot, but you have an agreement that is a fair negotiation. If you can get more than $32 [million] of a team and the minimum that any other team is offering you is still more than your team, it’s like, come on, guys. Like, come on, man. Just be fair to me. That’s all he wants and so I hope… I don’t know where it’s going to go, but I hope he stays with the Niners man that I really want.”
With the 49ers and Browns having the framework of current tradeAiyuk was given permission to negotiate a contract with Cleveland. But if the parties were able to reach an agreement, it is likely that this would have already happened.
The Steelers and 49ers were originally unable to reach an agreement on a trade package, but are talking again, although there is no word if they agreed to compensation. Until they do, it’s unlikely Aiyuk will be able to talk to Pittsburgh about a contract.
So unless there is movement with the Browns or Steelers, Aiyuk’s best option might be reconnect the 49ers on a contract extension.
If that is the case, and the sides are able to reach an agreement, Houshmandzadeh could get his wish.
