“I’m about to take off”: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk expects big things in 2023

Brandon Aiyuk knows his payday will come—eventually. Some speculated that the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver might be frustrated by his contract situation. However, Aiyuk admits he was just having fun with the offseason rumors.

“It’s just a crazy, crazy business, so you never really know,” Aiyuk told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “But I was having fun with it. I knew what’s going on long before, so yeah. I didn’t know what was going on at first, but I had a conversation with [general manager] John [Lynch], I had a conversation with [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan]. They told me what it was, and then from that point on, we moved forward.”

Aiyuk is entering his fourth NFL season and is looking to top his 78-catch, 1,015-yard, and eight-touchdown performance from last season. All were career highs. San Francisco exercised its fifth-year option on the receiver, keeping him under contract through the 2024 season.

What are the expectations for 2023?

“I’m about to take off,” Aiyuk declared. “That’s it. … We all know it’s football. Nothing’s ever guaranteed, but just getting a better understanding for my life as a person, and then as a football player, kind of putting those things together and then just looking to get better.

“I feel like, now, having another offseason [to build upon], coming out here again for another OTA spring ball, whatever you want to call it, being able to work with those guys, being able to work on my craft, being able to get better and just continue to look to get better. That’s really it.”

Aiyuk believes he’s “for sure” been underrated in his three NFL seasons.

“That’s been my whole life,” he said. “That’s just how it’s been. But I feel like it’s supposed to be that way. That’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps me motivated, keeps me angry.”

San Francisco drafted Aiyuk (6-0, 200) out of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020. He has caught 194 passes for 2,589 yards and 18 touchdowns in 46 game appearances (44 starts) through his three NFL seasons.