Aiyuk admits he made it 'troublesome' on Niners

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After some of the turbulent — and public — contract negotiations in latest reminiscence, San Francisco 49ers extensive receiver Brandon Aiyuk does not consider that any arduous emotions between he and the workforce will linger.

When requested Tuesday if he and the Niners can transfer previous the back-and-forth that led to the four-year, $120 million contract extension he signed Friday, Aiyuk acknowledged the position he performed in extending the negotiations.

“I am not going to lie, I made it slightly bit harder than it wanted to on the finish,” Aiyuk mentioned in his first feedback since signing his new deal. “I imply, it was like that for me, I am not going to say the entire total time, however for in regards to the previous month I feel we have been fairly good.”

When the Niners returned to the sphere for Tuesday’s “bonus” follow in preparation for Monday night time’s opener towards the New York Jets, Aiyuk was in his No. 11 jersey and dealing again in his traditional spot with the opposite wideouts. It was Aiyuk’s first follow with the workforce because the Friday earlier than Tremendous Bowl LVIII, a span of 207 days. These days have been largely marked by the strained negotiations between the workforce and Aiyuk that noticed him take typically to social media to air his grievances about not solely how they have been going however how lengthy they have been taking.

At varied factors, Aiyuk tried to use strain to the Niners to get a deal performed.

In March, Aiyuk used his social media platform to make use of emojis translated to “cash talks, bulls— walks” after common supervisor John Lynch insisted on the league conferences that the workforce wished to pay Aiyuk. He stayed away from the workforce’s offseason program and did not present up for the full-squad minicamp in early June, incurring $101,000 in fines.

Earlier than San Francisco opened coaching camp in July, Aiyuk formally requested a commerce then promptly reported to camp on time with the remainder of his teammates and mentioned that he was coping with again and neck soreness that may preserve him out of form and forestall the Niners from fining him for not collaborating.

When requested about his willingness to exert leverage through the negotiations, Aiyuk did not shrink back from it.

“A squeaky wheel must be silent someday and know when to squeak,” Aiyuk mentioned. “[I was] simply [finding] that complete steadiness.”

Throughout his “maintain in,” Aiyuk attended conferences and workforce actions however didn’t follow. On Tuesday, Aiyuk mentioned it was unusual to be there for every part else then watch his teammates swimsuit up and go follow with out becoming a member of them.

“That was most likely the toughest half about the entire thing simply because at that time you bought the remainder of the workforce concerned,” Aiyuk mentioned. “I am right here each single day, they’re suiting up, on the point of exit to follow and I am not. … It was slightly awkward, however I feel it labored out the way it wanted to.”

For a lot of the maintain in, Aiyuk and the Niners have been unsure how it will all play out. Regardless of preliminary reticence, the Niners finally started fielding commerce presents for the star receiver and gave Aiyuk permission to barter contracts with groups.

Parameters of trades with the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns shortly have been put in place however Aiyuk rejected these touchdown spots. One other deal was shut with the Pittsburgh Steelers however once more neither the Niners nor Aiyuk actually wished to separate.

All through, Aiyuk mentioned he needed to “get my thoughts proper” to a commerce being a chance. And although Aiyuk says it is “straightforward” to say now, he does agree with the notion that he all the time wished to stay with the workforce he grew up rooting for in his hometown of Rocklin, California, about three hours away from the workforce facility.

“I feel I simply had a really feel for what I wished,” Aiyuk mentioned. “Not simply when it comes to cash however in all these issues [such as long-term team success and quarterback play] and finally, I wished to be right here. I ended up being right here, so I am comfortable. I am good, I am able to go.”

With Aiyuk and left deal with Trent Williams again within the fold after the latter signed his personal reworked contract Tuesday, the Niners return about 87% of their offensive snaps from a unit that was close to the highest of the league in lots of main classes final season.

The increase Aiyuk and Williams offered was unmistakable within the locker room Tuesday afternoon.

“A bunch of vitality within the constructing,” wideout Jauan Jennings mentioned. “To have our workforce again simply means every part and now we’re locked and loaded able to go for Week 1.”

For his half, Aiyuk mentioned a number of instances Tuesday that he feels “gentle” with the burden of the contract negotiations now not hanging over his head. By way of conditioning, Aiyuk mentioned he will likely be able to go towards the New York Jets on Monday night time after he will get three extra practices this week, calling himself “tremendous excited,” “recent” and “renewed.”

Coming into this season, Aiyuk is aiming to prime his breakout 2023 when he completed with 1,342 receiving yards and was second within the NFL in yards per reception (17.9) and first in yards per goal (12.9) on his approach to incomes second-team All-Professional honors.

Aiyuk additionally acknowledged there’s extra strain to exceed that manufacturing now that he is one of many highest-paid wideouts within the league.

“However that is the rationale why I will receives a commission in a such method,” Aiyuk mentioned. “As a result of that is the kind of participant I consider I’m and that is the participant I wish to proceed to be and that is the participant that I try to be. I feel it is extra so placing that strain on myself.”