49ers HC Shanahan Explains Viral Video of Brandon Aiyuk ‘Bro Hug’ amid Contract Talks

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVAugust 2, 2024

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the handshake and hug with wideout Brandon Aiyuk that went viral earlier in the week was just business as usual between the pair, saying a “bro hug” is how they normally greet each other.

KNBR @KNBR”It’s usually how we greet each other, bro hug.” 😂

Kyle Shanahan on his viral handshake/hug with Brandon Aiyuk at 49ers practice on Wednesday.

No new updates on Aiyuk’s contract situation. pic.twitter.com/5zas1QAgIE

Any exchange with Aiyuk will be under a microscope at the moment, however, as the star wideout is currently staging a “hold-in” at the team’s training camp as he seeks a trade or contract extension.

OurSF49ers @OurSf49ers#49ers Brandon Aiyuk walks onto the field and headed straight to John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan 🤝 pic.twitter.com/JPdTzwDv92

It isn’t the only contract situation the Niners have on their hands—offensive tackle Trent Williams has been a full holdout as he seeks a reworked deal, seemingly one that would offer him guaranteed money.

“It was something I knew could be a possibility,” head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters earlier in the week. “I was hoping that he would be here but I knew it could be a possibility. I feel pretty confident it’ll all work out in the long run. And he’ll be here and we’ll get on the same page with everything.”

As for Aiyuk, the wideout has watched as players like Justin Jefferson (four years, $140 million), A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million), Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million), Jaylen Waddle (three years, $84.7 million), D.J. Moore (four years, $110 million) and DeVonta Smith (three years, $75 million) all sign lucrative extensions.

Aiyuk is likely seeing the sort of money St. Brown received, but that could be a tough sell for a Niners team already shelling out major cash to players like Williams, Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey, among others, while Brock Purdy will soon be eligible for a massive extension himself.

The Niners have appeared disinclined to lose Aiyuk this offseason, however, as they seek a Super Bowl title. Trading him would impact that goal in a major way.

But they have appeared to brace themselves for losing either Aiyuk or Samuel in the future.

Jauan Jennings was signed to a two-year, $15.3 million extension this offseason, while the team drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round and Jacob Cowing in the fourth to add depth at wideout. All three moves felt like the team bracing for the eventual departure of one of their star receivers.

Time will tell. For now, Aiyuk’s situation remains up in the air.