After an offseason and preseason that featured a trade request, a hold-in, and tense contract negotiations, Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers ultimately agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension that featured $76 million in guarantees.
While both sides are excited to put this drama behind them and focus on trying to win Super Bowl LIX, there are some questions about Aiyuk’s availability for Week 1 since he hasn’t been practicing with the team. Will Aiyuk play in the 49ers’ Week 1 game against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football?
Brandon Aiyuk’s Status for 49ers-Jets
Yes, Aiyuk is playing in tonight’s game between the Niners and Jets.
However, it remains to be seen how much Aiyuk will play. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Saturday that Aiyuk will play fewer snaps than he usually does as the 49ers ease him back into his normal workload.
“Don’t know [how much he will play] yet,” Shanahan said of Aiyuk. “He plays most of the game usually. Probably be surprised [if he plays] that same amount, but he’s in good shape.
“He’s had a really good week. His soreness hasn’t been too big. After each practice he’s pushed it real hard, do some stuff extra after and he looks good, and he’s ready to go.”
Last season, Aiyuk played 82% of snaps for the 49ers. Will his number of snaps decrease just a bit during Week 1, or will he barely be used against the Jets? There’s no way of knowing.
Kyle Soppe’s Fantasy Outlook for Aiyuk in Week 1
It was a far from quiet offseason for Aiyuk, but as long as he suits up for this game, I see no reason why he can’t be considered a top-20 play despite the matchup.
There is no denying that Aiyuk has a better connection with Purdy than Deebo Samuel Sr., something we saw by way of the big play — he had 28 deep receptions, a number topped by the one and only Tyreek Hill in 2023.
In theory, this is a tough matchup. We know the Jets are loaded, and the potential for Aaron Rodgers to play at a snail’s pace certainly doesn’t help.
That said, featured receivers were able to do enough for fantasy managers last season against Gang Green. Jaylen Waddle caught eight of nine targets when he faced the Jets with Hill inactive (Hill caught nine of 12 targets in the other Miami/New York contest), Stefon Diggs had a game where he hauled in 10 of 13 targets, and the CeeDee Lamb/A.J. Brown contingent combined to grab 18 of 22 looks in their respective games against the Jets.
Would I have preferred a “normal” offseason? Of course, but I’m not punishing myself by benching Aiyuk to see if any of the noise impacts him. I’ll take my chances and, in the final game of the week, he could swing your matchup with a big night.