Now that the San Francisco 49ers signed Brandon Aiyuk to a lucrative extension, fans hoped that he would arrive at Levi’s Stadium undistracted and ready to pick up where he left off last season.
However, Aiyuk has struggled in the Week 1 game against the New York Jets. After he dropped a touchdown in the end zone, NFL legend Peyton Manning took a shot at the 49ers wide receiver during the first “Manningcast” of the 2024 regular season.
The Play That Sparked Peyton Manning’s Criticism
Brock Purdy lobbed a beautiful pass toward the right corner of the end zone, and Aiyuk was in position for the potential six-point play.
Aiyuk drew the one-on-one versus the Jets’ No. 2 cornerback Michael Carter II. In the past few seasons, Aiyuk would win this battle off his routes.
This time, Aiyuk dropped the easy end-zone attempt. Manning didn’t mince words when discussing the drop. He pointed the blame at Aiyuk and his contract dispute, stating that the lingering conflict helped led to the drop.
“There’s a reason for training camp. You need the reps,” Manning began after shaking his head while watching the drop. “Get those contracts done earlier so we can get in training camp and we don’t drop balls on opening night.”
Peyton Manning on Brandon Aiyuk’s TD drop:
“Get those contracts done earlier so we can get in training camp and we don’t drop balls on opening night.” 😬
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 10, 2024
Ultimately, the 49ers were forced to settle for a field goal to close out the second quarter and enter halftime leading 16-7 instead of taking a 13-point lead.
Manning’s criticism comes after Aiyuk was a “hold-in” during training camp and the preseason, attending meetings and appearing at practice but not participating as his team negotiated with the 49ers’ front office.
Aiyuk’s name also appeared as the subject of ongoing trade rumors, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders mentioned as two potential landing spots.
Aiyuk missed valuable reps over the last month, so it’s not a huge surprise that Aiyuk has looked rusty and his chemistry with Purdy has been a bit off.
Who Else Was Critical of Aiyuk?
Manning’s co-host, brother Eli Manning, was also vocal about the dropped end-zone grab.
“Aiyuk, he’s a little rusty,” Eli chimed in. “It’s probably one thing catching passes, running routes, then all the sudden you’re laying out for passes full speed and diving. And that’s why those happen in camp. You practice those. He’s a little rusty right there.”
Troy Aikman, who called the play-by-play for the ESPN/ABC MNF broadcast, also felt Aiyuk had the look of a rusty wide receiver trying to regain his game.
“Brock Purdy could not have thrown this ball any better. He gets the man, look, he lays it perfectly to the corner, and this is one that Aiyuk simply does not miss,” Aikman said. “He’s showing some of the rust from missing so much [practice].”
Aiyuk was held to just one catch for 14 yards before the start of the fourth quarter. Deebo Samuel was San Francisco’s leading receiver, hauling in five passes for 54 yards before the 13-minute mark of the fourth.