Shanahan downplays report of Aiyuk’s recent meeting with 49ers

Shanahan downplays report of Aiyuk’s recent meeting with 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Coach Kyle Shanahan suggested there was nothing out of the ordinary about any of his recent conversations with 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

“I’ve met with Brandon a bunch here since we started out camp, and I’m not going to get into any personal things between us,” Shanahan said following the 49ers’ preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Silver cited sources who described Shanahan as being bothered by Aiyuk’s behavior and his “perceived brooding.”

Two days later, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reported, citing sources, that Aiyuk had a meeting with Shanahan and others during which “some open and candid thoughts were expressed.” According to the report, the 49ers and Aiyuk’s representation have restarted contract talks.

“I’m not going to share personal stuff between us or any conversations,” Shanahan said.

Aiyuk remains under contract with the 49ers for the upcoming season on a deal that would pay him $14.1 million. However, Aiyuk is in line for a big pay increase. The 49ers could pay him or trade him to a team that would be willing to meet his contract demands.

Aiyuk is not the only player on the 49ers who has an unresolved contract issue.

Left tackle Trent Williams remains on the reserve/did not report list. His fines have reached $1.75 million after he sat out the team’s preseason opener.

Williams has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract that extends through the 2026 season. His current contract, which he signed in 2021, pays him an average of $23.01 million per season, making him the sixth-highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.

Shanahan said the contract situations of Aiyuk and Williams are completely separate issues and do not impact each other. He said there were no updates on Williams’ situation.

Said Shanahan, “I am hopeful about it. I feel good about that. I feel optimistic about it, but nothing’s changed there.”

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