Christian McCaffrey is going to need a little more media training from now on… after he awkwardly referred to Brandon Aiyuk as a “former teammate” in an interview amid rumors of a trade for the 49ers wide receiver.
While answering questions on the field during a practice in Santa Clara on Tuesday, McCaffrey was asked about Aiyuk’s contractual situation. The 26-year-old is said to be closer to leaving the Bay Area than signing a contract extension.
“You know, that’s not part of my job, it’s not part of my position,” McCaffrey initially said, according to footage released by Rob “Stats” Guerrera and Kevin Krueger on X.
“I think, as a former teammate or as a teammate of his in general, you love and respect every teammate and want the best for them.”
McCaffrey may have made a mistake, but the running back’s choice of words won’t help Aiyuk, who is reportedly at odds with 49ers management.
Christian McCaffrey surprised many when he called Brandon Aiyuk a former teammate
McCaffrey’s comments come after Aiyuk refused to work out in training camp this preseason
Because San Francisco was unable to reach a long-term deal with Aiyuk, the 49ers have allowed the star receiver to talk to other potential suitors.
Now the question is whether there is a team Aiyuk wants to play for that is willing to give him the lucrative contract he seeks and offer the 49ers enough compensation in a trade to make something happen. If not, Aiyuk may stay in San Francisco, either on a new contract or with a fifth-year option.
For now, the situation remains unchanged, despite the rumors about Aiyuk’s status.
“I’m not going to get into details about offers, contracts, trades, anything like that. But what I can tell you is nothing has changed,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “There was a lot of information yesterday and stuff, but given the situation we’re in with Brandon, nothing has changed.”
NBC Sports Bay Area reported Monday night that the Niners have agreed to potential deals with Cleveland and New England. That could happen if Aiyuk is willing to sign a long-term deal with those teams.
Aiyuk is reportedly said to prefer a deal with Pittsburgh, but the Steelers would have to pay the price the 49ers are asking for one of their best players.
Coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t seem too concerned about his star player’s contractual situation
Shanahan said he doesn’t expect a resolution anytime soon.
“You always want it. You want it badly,” he said. “But this stuff takes time. I hope every day that it’s going to be resolved. But I don’t have a timetable for it. It didn’t surprise me when I started. … Hopefully it’s resolved sooner rather than later.”
Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason program, including a mandatory minicamp in June, while he waited for a lucrative extension to replace the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
He reported to training camp in late July after requesting a trade, but declined to practice. He attends team meetings and is not fined.
Aiyuk was set to play this season on a fifth-year option worth about $14.1 million, and wanted San Francisco to make him the latest receiver to cash in a long-term deal. Ten receivers before Aiyuk had already signed contracts worth at least $70 million this offseason, with Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension leading Minnesota.
Aiyuk was crucial to the 49ers’ offense last season and played in Super Bowl LVIII in Vegas
Aiyuk was a key part of San Francisco’s offense last season, as he formed a great bond with quarterback Brock Purdy. Aiyuk had 75 catches and a career-high 1,375 yards with seven touchdowns last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
His absence will be difficult to compensate for if San Francisco wants to reach and win the Super Bowl again next season.
“Brandon’s a great player,” Shanahan said. “It’s really hard to get better when you lose a great player. So we have to look at everything. We have to understand the situation we’re in and what that looks like. It takes time.
‘Hopefully it all works out for the best for him and in the long run for us too.’