It appears that the San Francisco 49ers are making progress in retaining their All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
According to multiple reports, the two sides are close to a deal, with only one key factor preventing a long-term contract for Aiyuk in San Francisco. Given the rollercoaster nature of the situation so far, it’s impossible to rule out negotiations extending into the first week of the regular season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was on KNBR on Wednesday and talked about how the team would handle the WR corps if Aiyuk doesn’t play in the season opener. He indicated that Jauan Jennings is the most likely option at second receiver, along with WR Deebo Samuel. The rest of his answer underscored why the team needs to make sure Aiyuk is in uniform in Week 1.
“Chris Conley had a heck of a training camp,” Shanahan said. “He got off to a strong start for us last year. He did a heck of a job last year making a bunch of plays in the playoffs, in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl. He’s been on a lot of teams where he’s done that for a while. Then we have these rookies that are all pushing that I know are going to be there at some point, but they’re a little behind with their injuries. But they’re guys that we believe in, guys that are cut from the right cloth.”
He also mentioned players like Ronnie Bell and Danny Gray. Both players are fighting for a spot at the bottom of the roster. He also mentioned other veterans the 49ers have acquired.
Let’s look at it from a slightly different perspective. Here’s what the receiver corps looks like in Week 1 without Aiyuk:
Samuel Deebo
Juan Jennings
Chris Conley
Ricky Pearsall
Jakob Cowing
Ronnie Bell/Danny Gray/Robbie Chosen
Samuel is a first-class playmaker and a real star.
Jennings was great as a number 3 and was able to take on the role of number 2 at times during his career.
Conley was good with the 49ers. Relying on him to be WR3 is probably asking too much.
Pearsall will not play at all in pre-season and has missed a lot of training time due to hamstring and shoulder injuries. Cowing shone on his pre-season debut but he too is still finding his stride after a long spell out with a hamstring injury.
This last trio will likely be used more on special teams than in the passing game. Gray didn’t play at all last year. Chosen and Bell combined for 10 catches in 26 games.
Shanahan is a good offensive coach with enough weapons to potentially cobble together enough to win any game, but having this New York Jets receiver corps that promises to be a great defense would make life a lot easier. Just because the 49ers might be able to do it doesn’t mean they should.
Their receiver group and their chances of winning Week 1 look much better with Aiyuk and Samuel at the top of the order. The 49ers must do everything they can to get the Aiyuk deal across the finish line in time for the season opener on Monday Night Football.
