Former Patriots star argues 49ers’ offseason mistake may have cost them Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk's offseason negotiation with the San Francisco 49ers was one of the biggest stories of the offseason. Now, heading into Week 8, his injury is one of the top headlines in the NFL. Many are blaming the game or the player, but one analyst believes the 49ers could be at fault.
Speaking on 'Pro Football Talk' on October 22, Devin McCourty addressed the idea that the 49ers' unwillingness to get a deal done before training camp set up Aiyuk for a greater injury risk.
"We've always talked about how when you don't get to do your normal routine, how the injury risk goes way up, because you're not able to go through training camp and do those things," he said. [6:23]
"And now, with the Brandon Aiyuk situation, the way he got hit on the play, I don't know if training camp or anything would have stopped this injury from happening, but it's just a reminder that it's not just the player. If the team wants to have the best season that they want to have, they can get these contracts done," he added. PFT
Of course, if that is the case, other holdout stars could be at added risk for injury as well. For example, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb missed the team's 2024 training camp altogether. He appears to be fully healthy, but McCourty's comments give fans something to keep an eye out for league-wide.
Brandon Aiyuk's injury wipes away most of 49ers' returns on first year of $120,000,000 investment
The 49ers wide receiver is done for the year due to an ACL tear and as such, the first year of his breakout deal is also essentially in the books. Depending on how the next two years go for the wide receiver, he could be done with the first third of his contract or the first fifth of it.
That's because the San Francisco 49ers added an out option after the 2026 season. In other words, they start saving money by moving on from Aiyuk as soon as 2027, per Spotrac.
Brandon Aiyuk's season ends with 374 yards and zero touchdowns, earning more than 50 yards just once. Based on the timing and severity of the injury, there appears to be a chance that the recovery could lead into a training camp in 2025. Of course, the race will be on to beat that deadline, but will Aiyuk miss at least part of two consecutive training camps?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk"and H/T Sportskeeda.