Brandon Aiyuk, Girlfriend and Friend Post Cryptic Messages amid 49ers Contract Rumors | News, Scores

The San Francisco 49ers are only beginning to sift through the fallout from their Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, yet they might already have to deal with some pressing business.

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk posted a cryptic Instagram Story with the message "Don't forget what got you there."

<a href="https://t.co/kbycbQQ9hF">pic.twitter.com/kbycbQQ9hF</a>

As if that weren't enough, Aiyuk's girlfriend and brother both alluded to how he could angle for a move out of San Francisco this offseason:

Brandon Aiyuk's girlfriend, Rochelle, talking about the possibility of him not being on the 49ers next season:<br><br>"OK, this might have been the last day we touch foot on Levi's Stadium, me and Braylon (their son), because we might not be out here next season."<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> exercised… <a href="https://t.co/jVezGMjlXM">pic.twitter.com/jVezGMjlXM</a>

Brandon Aiyuk's Brother (Best Friend) On IG <a href="https://t.co/WedP0QYiZ8">pic.twitter.com/WedP0QYiZ8</a>

Aiyuk's initial post is vague enough to invite multiple interpretations. With additional context, it sounds as though he was frustrated with his usage in the Super Bowl and perhaps the entire postseason.

The 2020 first-round pick caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards along with seven touchdowns in the regular season. His 17.9 yards per catch were the second-most in the NFL behind the Pittsburgh Steelers' George Pickens.

Aiyuk only had nine receptions spread equally across San Francisco's three playoff games, though. In the Super Bowl, he hauled in three passes on six targets for 49 yards.

Emotions can always be a bit raw after losing such a big game, so cooler heads could prevail over the coming days and weeks. But Aiyuk's situation might bear monitoring given his contract situation.

Last spring, the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option, so he's due to collect a $14.1 million salary for the 2024 season. It's not uncommon for a player to push for a new deal a year out from free agency, and it can be in a team's interest to prevent that player from hitting the open market.

Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, another member of the 2020 draft class, is facing the same situation, and his long-term future in Minneapolis is the subject of much discussion.

Should Aiyuk and San Francisco begin to negotiate a new contract and those conversations hit a stalemate, the 25-year-old could become a clear trade candidate for teams looking to upgrade the passing game.

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