Christian McCaffrey's Father Sheds New Light on 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Contract Dispute

The San Francisco 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk saga isn't letting up, as the disgruntled wide receiver has been seeking a new deal from the team this off-season. That hasn't happened yet, and it has led to Aiyuk skipping both voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

Read more: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Continues to Hint at Potential Trade Destination

The consensus is that Aiyuk will remain with the 49ers, but rumors indicate he could be traded. The biggest issue is the contract he has been offered is not enough for the playmaker.

More news has now come out about the contract dispute from an unlikely source. Ed McCaffrey, the father of 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, joined "The Kay Adams Show" where he shared more light on the contract issue surrounding Aiyuk.

When Adams asks McCaffrey about the contract situation, he states, "I think they will sign him eventually. They love him and they want him on the team, Kyle Shanahan has said it. John Lynch has said, 'We want Brandon Aiyuk on the team.' They've said recently they're not interested in trading him. I never say never..."

McCaffrey indicates what most pundits and analysts have also come to understand. Aiyuk is unlikely to go anywhere else. However, the "never say never" aspect of the response also matters. There are always situations in the NFL that lead to star players being traded, however unlikely they might be.

"He's been offered, from what I understand, $26 or $27 million. Some of the receivers this offseason have signed for larger numbers per year. It's going to come down to the guaranteed money at signing, and it's going to come down to both of them. Both the team, the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, settling on a number, " McCaffrey added.

McCaffrey also compares the situation to that of Nick Bosa, who also held out until the last moment before the regular season started and received a big contract extension. Aiyuk could presumably do the same. What's interesting about McCaffrey's response is his mention of guaranteed money.

Though NFL contracts can balloon to crazy annual payments — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson obliterated the receiver market with $35 million per year — it's more about the guaranteed money.

Aiyuk, like most players, needs to protect himself with those guarantees. Should he be injured or traded, Aiyuk will still be paid what was guaranteed in his contract. That number is arguably far more important than the overall contract value.

The good news is that Aiyuk called a meeting with the organization. Talks had reportedly "gone well," but that does not mean a contract extension is imminent. The hope is the 49ers can offer something fast, otherwise Aiyuk will be behind in learning the team's game plan for the 2024 season.