49ers GM John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk contract dispute: 'We feel the urgency'

Brandon Aiyuk is still employed by the San Francisco 49ers, but he isn't practicing with the team while he seeks out a new extension.

With the 2024 NFL regular season creeping up, where do the Niners stand with the star receiver? It's a gray area for general manager John Lynch.

"I'm not going to characterize any chances or anything," Lynch said Friday. "I can tell you this, it's been a long, arduous, hard process — a hard journey. We started this early, and for whatever reason, haven't been able to get it across the finish line. That's been frustrating, but the communication still has been really good both with Brandon and his agent, and we're trying to figure out solutions. 

"You know I'm always hopeful. I'm an optimistic person in nature, and I'm always hopeful that we'll get there and get there soon. I can tell you, we feel the urgency to have him, the season's approaching, and we have ample time. … We'd really like to keep him around. So we'll see how it goes."

Lynch added that Aiyuk remains in "fantastic shape" and that there's no "bad blood" between the two sides despite the prolonged contract dispute. 

Meanwhile, left tackle and 11-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams is also holding out for a new contract.

Aiyuk is coming off arguably the best season of his professional career, totaling 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns — which were all team highs or tied for such. The receiver requested a trade in July after he and the Niners couldn't find common ground in contract negotiations.

Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson potentially set the market for receiver extensions, inking a four-year, $140 million deal with $110 million guaranteed in June. Elsewhere, Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year, $120