The San Francisco 49ers are facing the challenge of retaining all their star players beyond this season.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is in the final year of his contract, and negotiations for an extension do not seem close, considering the recent big deals signed by other wide receivers in the league.
On the other hand, star running back Christian McCaffrey recently signed a two-year extension worth around $19 million annually.
Deebo Samuel expressed that McCaffrey deserves the extension, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
“It’s good to see people get what they deserve.”
Deebo on CMC’s contract extension pic.twitter.com/s2l5XPVi1Q
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) June 4, 2024
McCaffrey led the league in rushing yards with 1,459 and scored 14 rushing touchdowns last season, earning him the Offensive Player of the Year award.
He is known for his dual-threat abilities, being able to catch passes out of the backfield and sometimes lining up as a wide receiver. In 2023, he recorded 564 receiving yards and seven touchdowns from 67 catches.
While Aiyuk had a strong season, McCaffrey remains the top offensive threat for San Francisco.
Due to Aiyuk being up for an extension, there are rumors of a possible trade, with some suggesting Samuel could be traded to clear cap space for Aiyuk’s extension.
In the NFL draft, the Niners selected wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round, leading to speculation that the pick was made in anticipation of either Aiyuk or Samuel being traded in the future.
