Mad Dog Russo warns Brandon Aiyuk against making “big mistake” by ditching 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers haven't quite officially divorced yet, but the two parties are still technically tied at the hip. As such, if both sides were to stop actively trying to separate, they would instantly remain together with no further action required. Speaking on a Wednesday episode of "First Take," NFL analyst Mad Dog Russo warned Brandon Aiyuk about severing the tie.
Mad Dog Russo: [00:01:55] "I think he's making a big mistake. I would never leave. He's in a great situation. There are Super Bowl contending team. He's got a great offensive coordinator, a great play caller. Purdy's a good quarterback. To go to somewhere else, Pittsburgh got quarterback issues. Cleveland, nobody really quite knows about Watson," he said. [00:02:22][27.2] First Take
Of course, if Aiyuk is content with merely playing in a Super Bowl instead of winning one, the next biggest pursuit is money. Currently, the 49ers wide receiver is still on his rookie contract. Rookie contracts are a small fraction of a star's second contract. The 49ers and Aiyuk know that.
San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch appears to be unwilling to pay the bill and Aiyuk is willing to leave to get his new deal elsewhere. However, Aiyuk would be risking leaving one of the best teams in the NFC and a franchise actively boosting his market every year for a team that could cut it if things don't go well.
At this stage, it is a gamble for Aiyuk. However, staying for another season might be a bigger one.
Brandon Aiyuk's back against wall heading into stressful fifth year
On paper, heading into one's fifth year in the NFL looks like a win. Those good enough to earn the extra year receive a big pay bump and more time to procrastinate the potential end of one's time with their team.
However, for receivers thinking big like Brandon Aiyuk, playing through his fifth year option with no extension might feel like walking the plank. After the 2024 season, there are no guarantees for the 49ers wide receiver whatsoever. Meaning, that if he has a rough fifth season, the 49ers could cut ties, leaving him at the mercy of his depreciated market.
If Aiyuk gets a new deal now with the 49ers or another long-spotlighted team like Russell Wilson's Steelers, he might see a promotion to becoming the team's number-one receiver. Additionally, he would get another multi-year deal, which would take the pressure off.
Either way, Brandon Aiyuk is set up for plenty of stress. Either he is forced to play out the remainder of his rookie deal and subject himself to the market or the franchise tag in 2025, or he has to move potentially to the other side of the country. Even if he sticks around, he might need to move in 2025, anyway.
On several levels, Brandon Aiyuk's future is uncertain, which could wreak havoc on his mental mindset as he continues to be stuck in no man's land. Will Aiyuk find security before 2025?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "First Take" and H/T Sportskeeda.