What Kittle texted Aiyuk amid 49ers receiver’s contract situation originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
George Kittle is one of the more private players on the 49ers, but San Francisco’s star doesn’t like to get involved in his teammates’ contract negotiations.
And while that’s also the case for Brandon Aiyuk’s ongoing contract saga, Kittle recently revealed his message to the wide receiver as he tries to secure a lucrative extension from the 49ers.
“Honestly, this is how I’ve treated all my teammates going through contract negotiations: I text them and say, ‘Hey man. If there’s anything you want to talk about, or anything I can help you with, here you go.’ If not, I’ll see you when I see you, but we’ll find out at some point,” Kittle told the ‘Dan Patrick Show’ on Tuesday. “The less I know, the better. I don’t like it when people ask me, “Hey, have you talked to Aiyuk?”
“He’s doing his thing, he’s going to be fine and whatever happens, I’m happy for him.”
Aiyuk is staying away from the 49ers ahead of the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, not reporting for mandatory minicamp as he looks for a new contract. The 49ers’ last offer to him was a contract worth $26 million per year, Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on KNBR on Tuesday, but the wideout appears to be looking for some more money.
After his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2023, Aiyuk reportedly wants a contract extension in the vicinity of Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $28 million per year deal with the Detroit Lions. And if the negotiation deadlock is only a few million dollars, an agreement may be on the horizon soon.
No matter how long it takes, the 49ers have a good reputation for paying their top producers what they deserve. But in the meantime, Kittle will remain as uninvolved as possible.
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