San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's dissatisfaction with his contract has been a prominent storyline throughout this offseason. Aiyuk made his displeasure clear on various social media platforms, expressing his frustration at different points. As a result, he skipped the offseason workouts, and his absence did not come without consequences. Aiyuk incurred a hefty fine of $101,716 for missing the three-day mandatory minicamp from June 4-6.
Despite the turmoil, Aiyuk reported to the opening of training camp on July 23. However, his participation has been limited. Aiyuk has been "holding in" by attending camp but not fully participating due to the ongoing contract issues.
Contract Unrest with Trent Williams
Meanwhile, left tackle Trent Williams’ contract unrest is equally significant. The 36-year-old veteran reported to the 49ers' mandatory minicamp but was absent from training camp. Williams, who signed a six-year, $138.06 million contract with the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2021, made headlines as the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman at the time.
Williams' contract averages $23.01 million per year, but the landscape of offensive linemen contracts has shifted since then. For instance, the Detroit Lions signed Penei Sewell to a four-year, $112 million extension in April, with $85 million in guarantees and $42.986 million fully guaranteed at signing. Adding to the competitive landscape are recent deals signed by Christian Darrisaw and Tristan Wirfs. Darrisaw's four-year, $104 million extension averages $26 million per year, while Wirfs' five-year, $140.625 million extension averages $28.125 million annually.
Williams remains under contract through 2026 and is slated to earn $77.31 million over the remaining years of his deal. He is scheduled to make $20.9 million this season on a cap hit of $31,568,542. His earnings increase to $23.35 million in 2025 and $33.06 million in 2026. However, his absence from training camp could lead to fines of $50,000 for each day missed. Additionally, Williams risks forfeiting one week's base salary—equivalent to 1/18th of his salary—for each preseason game skipped, which amounts to $1,113,889 per game. The 49ers could even recover up to 25% of the prorated amount of Williams' signing bonus if the holdout continues into the regular season.
This isn't the first time Williams has faced contract disputes. Williams previously had a contract dispute with the Washington Commanders in 2019, during which he withheld his services until October 30 due to dissatisfaction with his contract and a medical dispute.
Impact on the 49ers
The simultaneous contract disputes involving Aiyuk and Williams present a challenging scenario for the 49ers. The franchise frequently incorporates signing and option bonuses in their contracts, adding layers of complexity to these negotiations. The stakes are particularly high for Williams, with some sources suggesting, "Williams is probably San Francisco's most indispensable offensive player."
The ongoing contract issues between key players and the franchise underscore the intense, often contentious nature of professional football negotiations. Both Aiyuk and Williams are vital components of the 49ers’ roster, and their contract situations will undoubtedly remain focal points as the offseason progresses.