![NFL – How Justin Jefferson contract impacts 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk extension talks – NBC Sports Bay Area & California NFL – How Justin Jefferson contract impacts 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk extension talks – NBC Sports Bay Area & California](https://i1.wp.com/media.nbcsportsbayarea.com/2024/06/Justin-Jefferson-Brandon-Aiyuk-USA-e1717443124190.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&resize=1200%2C675&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
On Monday, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension, including $110 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL and reestablishing the salary scale for the NFL wide receiver market. .
Meanwhile, there has been no word out of Santa Clara on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s pending extension with the 49ers, but Jefferson’s new deal could help move things forward. With the cap now in place for receiver salaries, Aiyuk’s representation and the club should have a better understanding of where quarterback Brock Purdy’s No. 1 target’s compensation should range.
Aiyuk and Jefferson have been connected since they were both selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft: Aiyuk at No. 25 and Jefferson at No. 22. While both have had successful starts to their professional careers, the LSU product has been in a category of its own.
Jefferson is just the fifth player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards or more in his first four seasons, joining former New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas, former New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas, former Cincinnati Bengals receiver AJ Green and Hall of Famer Randy Moss. .
Aiyuk posted 1,000-plus yard performances in each of his last two seasons: 1,015 in 2022 and 1,342 in 2023. The Arizona State product’s fourth season also included a career-high 17.9 yards per reception. the 49ers towards an appearance in Super Bowl LVIII.
Aiyuk was also named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his eight-catch, 129-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Week 1 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping him earn second-team All-Pro honors. for the first time in his career. career.
Jefferson, however, is more decorated, leading to record-breaking payday. The Vikings wide receiver is a three-time Pro Bowler, 2022 First-Team All-Pro, Offensive Rookie of the Year (2020) and 2022 Offensive Player of the Year.
His 128 receptions for 1,809 yards led the league in 2022 along with his 106.4 yards per game and 13.9 average yards per touch. Aiyuk’s 83.9 yards per game ranked ninth among pass catchers in 2023, while his 17.9 yards per catch ranked second behind the Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens (18.1).
While Aiyuk will receive the biggest payday of his career, it won’t be the average $35 million per year salary that Jefferson will receive, and the 49ers still have an interesting task ahead of them in determining acceptable compensation. package for your best wide receiver.
Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins and Davante Adams of the Oakland Raiders previously had the highest salaries for the position with what appeared to be average annual salaries of $30 million and $28 million on paper, but balloon payments at the end of those deals where the Teams can often opt out, clouding the real value of the deals.
Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has already made statements hinting at a desire to rework his client’s contract with the Dolphins after seeing Jefferson’s deal.
For now, Aiyuk is still under contract with the 49ers through the 2024 season and the club has the ability to use the franchise tag for the following year if necessary. However, reaching a long-term extension is a priority, and an annual salary in the range of $27-28 million seems likely.
The wait will continue, at least a little longer, as the club will meet Tuesday for a mandatory two-day veterans minicamp before summer break.
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