The Wide Receiver Matrix
Brandon Aiyuk's descent only gets crazier. George Pickens was electric, but there's a reason he was traded. This is a volcanic position in every way. (Hey, TO!) Where's the sweet spot for NFL teams?
Brandon Aiyuk has not caught a pass in a football game in 632 days. It was a hideous sight. Safety Chamarri Conner, with perfect timing, drills him and the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver’s knee bends. Both the ACL and MCL tear.
No way could anyone predict the madness to come.
One bizarre Instagram video to the next, it becomes increasingly more difficult to see Aiyuk catch his next pass.
This month, he’s been intent on alienating his greatest ally. After seeing a video of quarterback Jayden Daniels chuckling at a fan screaming “Fuck Brandon Aiyuk!” the receiver posted a video of his own and tagged Daniels to proclaim, “You’re on my team now. You follow my rules. Boy, I’m a grown ass man. You’re gonna have to start running behind your momma and I might believe what you’re talking about.”
Meanwhile, his only clear path back to the field is to petition with the NFL for reinstatement from the reserve/left squad list. Once reinstated, he could show up for 49ers training camp and then finally get the release he desires.
Aiyuk has repeated he will not do this.
The 49ers have no incentive to do a thing.
Aiyuk’s public relations team may consist of a pile of dirty laundry.
“I’ll tell you what,” Aiyuk promised, “If I get a job back in the NFL, I’ll still be on my bullshit on social media.”
Comforting.
Easy to forget that this wide receiver caught 75 balls for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. His acrobatic catch vs. Detroit propelled those 49ers into the Super Bowl. The ensuing contract battle was intense, but he eventually got paid: four years, $120 million. So, what happened? How did this situation deteriorate in such catastrophic fashion? That’s what I asked one former 49ers coach around for Aiyuk’s ascent. There must be valuable lessons for other teams to take at this volcanic position.
Because let’s face it. Teams that seek boy scouts at wide receiver won’t win anything.
An element of risk is required. Finding that line is the tricky part.
This coach cites a Maya Angelou quote: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Red flags were obvious.