Hill’s final receiver will be paid as Aiyuk-49ers extension talks stall originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The NFL’s wide receiver market changed again on Saturday when the Miami Dolphins restructured Tyreek Hill’s contract, reportedly giving the All-Pro the highest amount of guaranteed money ever at the position.
Hill’s new deal does not add more years to the extension he signed in 2022, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reportedciting a source, but the restructured contract is worth $90 million over the next three years, with $65 million guaranteed, and the $106.5 million in fully guaranteed upgraded money is the most ever for a wide receiver, by Schefter.
Meanwhile, the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have yet to reach an agreement on a contract extension for the receiver, who is currently involved in a “hold-in” training camp after reportedly requesting a trade last month.
As the situation remains unresolved, Hill is the latest to receive a payment that offers an idea of what Aiyuk could earn by joining the likes Justin Jefferson (four years, $140 million), Jaylen Waddle (three years, $84.75 million), Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million), DeVonta Smith (three years, $75 million ) and AJ Brown (three years, $96 million) ), among others, as receivers to earn a scholarship this offseason.
Hill has been the undisputed force of Miami’s offense since the Dolphins acquired him in a 2022 trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, leading the NFL with 3,509 yards since then while commanding 30.7% of his team’s targets (h/t ESPN). Hill recently earned the top spot on the NFL’s Top 100 list after racking up 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last season, both the most in the league, and an NFL-best 112.4 receiving yards per game.
While Hill’s deal likely won’t have much of an impact on Aiyuk’s negotiations with San Francisco, the massive amount of guaranteed money included for Hill could further slow down the 49ers’ negotiations and make the market for the position much more lucrative.
Aiyuk has recorded 1,000-plus yard performances in each of his last two seasons – 1,015 in 2022 and 1,342 in 2023. He was also named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his eight-catch, 129-yard, two-touchdown performance with the 49ers . ‘ Week 1 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping him earn Second-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his professional career.
Despite its production, the 49ers face obstacles by signing Aiyuk to a long-term deal. And while the 49ers receiver supposedly wants to overcome St. Brown’s $28 million-per-year contract, such a high value seems unlikely given its proximity to Hill’s new deal.
But the longer San Francisco waits — with Aiyuk watching from the sidelines at practice — the more complicated things become.
