How 49ers roster construction makes Aiyuk’s mega-contract difficult originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Brandon Aiyuk is seeking a lucrative long-term contractbut the way the 49ers are constructed could be causing obstacles for both parties.
Aiyuk’s desire for a market-fit contract and the 49ers’ need to ensure they get a deal that makes sense for them led to the 2023 Second-Team All-Pro requesting an exchange earlier this week.
The 49ers roster is star-studded with high-value players on both sides of the ball, and while Aiyuk deserves a multi-year contract that reflects his play on the field, San Francisco may not be able to afford another mega-contract.
On the offensive side of the ball, Deebo Samuel currently earns the highest average salary at $23.8 million per year, just ahead of Trent Williams, whose annual salary is $23 million. Christian McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, agreed to an extension this offseason earning him $19 million a yearwhile George Kittle’s salary is the second highest, predicted at $15 million per season.
The market value of each position is its own category, but when looking at how much each player contributes on the field, it may be difficult for the 49ers to justify making Aiyuk the highest-paid offensive player.
Offensive snap counts in 2023
Brock Purdy – 1,066
George Kittle – 1,021
Christian McCaffrey – 935
Brandon Aiyuk – 923
Deebo Samuel – 768
Kyle Juszczyk – 561
Jauan Jennings – 429
Charlie Woerner – 333
Offensive touches in 2023
Christian McCaffrey – 339
Deebo Samuel – 97
Elijah Mitchell – 82
Brandon Aiyuk – 75
George Kittle – 66
Jordan Mason – 43
Yards from scrimmage in 2023
Christian McCaffrey – 2023
Brandon Aiyuk – 1,342
Deebo Samuel – 1,117
George Kittle – 1,022
Elijah Mitchell – 295
Jauan Jennings – 265
There’s no doubt the 49ers offense is much better with Aiyuk involved in it, but how much the club can allocate to the wide receiver could be an issue, especially considering an impending extension for quarterback Brock Purdy in 2025.
The 49ers also have plenty of star power on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Charvarius Ward earns $13.5 million in annual salary, while linebacker Fred Warner earns $19 million per season. The defensive front holds the highest salaries, with Javon Hargrave earning $21 million per season and Nick Bosa the highest earner, earning $34 million annually.
Aiyuk’s salary of $14.1 million in 2024 – the biggest payday of his career – already ranks him eighth on the team, above Ward, in average annual salary, but among NFL wide receivers, he is the 18th highest paid.
If the 49ers were to sign the Arizona State product to a contract that put it in the top 10 of annual salaries at his position, which range from $24-35 million per year, Aiyuk would become the 49ers’ second-highest paid player, behind only Nick Bosa.
The salaries of the top four offensive players total $80.8 million and the defensive equivalent is $87.5 million, for a total of $168.3 million or almost 66 percent of the salary. allowed limit of US$255.4 million for just eight of the club’s 51 accounted players, or 15.6 percent.
No matter how you slice it, general manager John Lynch and the 49ers front office face difficult decisions that will take place during training camp, which begins in a week.
