Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
By David Bonilla
May 15, 2024 at 5:55 AM
Share this on TwitterShare this on FacebookShare this on ThreadsFlip into FlipboardShare this on RedditShare via SMSShare via Email
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Rumors circulated before and during the 2024 NFL Draft about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers losing one of their top two wide receivers—Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Such a scenario could have significantly impacted the team's success in the upcoming season and posed a potential blow for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrived alongside the dynamic duo on the field.
However, none of these speculations came to fruition. Both Aiyuk and Samuel remain on the roster, at least for another season, though their future beyond that remains uncertain.
Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension that would position him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. At the same time, Samuel already commands a significant salary following a deal rework in 2022. This raises questions about the 49ers' ability to retain both players in the long term.
Will the team part ways with Samuel after the upcoming season? How might this impact Purdy's future success?
"Purdy could play 20 years, win four Super Bowls and go to the Hall of Fame, and because he was the last pick in the draft, people will say he was the product of the system and the group around him," ESPN's Dan Graziano recently wrote. "There's no avoiding this, and that concept is at the root of this question. Does Purdy need the 49ers' wide receiver corps to stick around in order to keep playing as well as he did last season? The Niners certainly struggled in the three games without Samuel, and Aiyuk's emergence as a No. 1 wideout was a big reason for the team's success. But they won't both be around this offense forever."
In this year's draft, San Francisco used the No. 31 overall pick to acquire wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a player admired by the team's leadership for his physicality.
"There's not one play that you see him turn something down," praised head coach Kyle Shanahan following Pearsall's selection. "He's going to go over the middle and do everything he can to catch that ball and not worry about anything else. When he is on the sidelines, he's not taking the easy way out. He makes guys tackle him. He is not looking for a place to fall. And when he doesn't have the ball, he plays just as hard when the ball's not in his hands."
Pearsall's presence might help offset the impact of a potential departure like Samuel's next offseason, provided the rookie meets the team's expectations. Nevertheless, Graziano acknowledges the 49ers' faith in their young quarterback, recognizing that the team is better with Purdy under center.
"Coach Kyle Shanahan might have to adjust some things if he's without one or both of these guys, but he and the 49ers believe Purdy is the main reason for the QB's success," Graziano adds. "And the current San Francisco braintrust has proven its ability to build and maintain a strong roster. A transition time is coming soon, but Purdy so far appears to be the kind of quarterback -- especially paired with Shanahan -- who can adjust."
Nobody's perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article?
Report it.
Share this on TwitterShare this on FacebookShare this on ThreadsFlip into FlipboardShare this on RedditShare via SMSShare via Email
Comments
Do not use the comments to notify us of errors in the article. Editors may not see it. Instead, report errors here.
More San Francisco 49ers News
Insider predicts 49ers' strategy with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel
By David Bonilla
2 hrs
Not long ago, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested that the San Francisco 49ers might part ways with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Since then, much has changed. The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, with both Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel still on the roster despite rampant trade rumors before and during the draft.Last season, Aiyuk led the 49ers with 1,342 receiving yards, 322 more than the next leading target, tight end George Kittle. It was the second consecutive season that saw Aiyuk surpass the 1,000-receiving-yard mark. The two sides are now working on a contract extension to keep the talented young wideout in red and gold for the foreseeable future."I see the San Francisco 49ers making a strong effort to get Brandon Aiyuk signed, and I wouldn't be
Read More
49ers unfazed by Brandon Aiyuk's absence; Brock Purdy opens up about draft day jitters
By David Bonilla
May 21
The San Francisco 49ers kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was the most noticeable absentee. However, his absence wasn't unexpected. Aiyuk and the 49ers reportedly remain far apart in their contract extension negotiations, and this portion of the offseason remains voluntary.Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked how he feels about Aiyuk not being around for OTAs."The same as I do about all these guys that aren't here," Shanahan responded. "I mean, I wish they were here, but it's something that's part of the business. Anytime it's part the business part, you try to respect it, stay out of it as much as possible, and look
Read More
Does PFF's ranking of 49ers QB Brock Purdy surprise you?
By David Bonilla
May 21
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 starting NFL quarterbacks based on the analytics site's data and his own opinions. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands alone in Tier 1, aptly named "Mahomes," taking the top spot in Sikkema's ranking.Tier 2 features three "do-it-all" quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. These players are considered the "elite" quarterbacks of the league.Then you have Tier 3, labeled "postseason-caliber" quarterbacks, which includes the next six quarterbacks in the ranking. However, you won't find San
Read More
49ers and WR Brandon Aiyuk reportedly not close on a new contract
By Marc Adams
May 19
The San Francisco 49ers need wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. And Aiyuk needs the 49ers. But the two sides are reportedly not close on a new deal that would keep the star receiver in San Francisco for years to come.Sunday morning, on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the 49ers and Aiyuk are not close in contract negotiations, leading many to wonder if Aiyuk will hold out (not show up) or hold in (show up but not participate) for the remainder of the offseason and even training camp. "This one's tricky because he was implicated in some trade talks around the draft," Fowler said. "He wants a new contract; has one year left. I'm told the 49ers certainly are open to doing a deal, but talks have not progressed enough where things are close. And
Read More
