Brandon Aiyuk is an important piece of the San Francisco 49ers’ puzzle, that much is certain.
If he remains the team’s dominant wide receiver will be decided in the weeks to come as Aiyuk on Tuesday requested to be traded to another club.
This came as the two sides have not reached an agreement on a contract extension and Aiyuk prepares to enter 2024 in the final year of his current deal.
It is unquestioned that San Francisco is loaded with talent, and the mystery is if the presence or absence of one receiver would make or break the 2024 season.
James Jones, who won a championship as a Green Bay Packer, told FS1’s “Speak” that San Francisco needs Aiyuk to win that elusive Super Bowl.
Jones responded to the question of Aiyuk’s importance with “absolutely” and noted that the receiver does more than what is shown on highlights after the game.
.@89JonesNTAF: The Niners need Brandon Aiyuk to win a Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/uDkv1Jmmp2
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) July 17, 2024
The receiver hauled in several key passes last season, and young quarterback Brock Purdy trusts him enough to put the ball out there and let him go make the play.
Jones expressed his belief that the 49ers do not have another target who can make the plays that Aiyuk makes, including Deebo Samuel.
The analyst emphatically predicted that San Francisco will fall short of another Super Bowl appearance if the team does not come to terms with Aiyuk.
If the 49ers wants to have a chance, Jones declared, they need to reach an agreement with their top wideout and get him on board and ready for the season.
