UNBELIEVABLE: Brandon Aiyuk has unfollowed the 49ers amid contract discussions and trade rumors.
Brandon Aiyuk, a San Francisco wide receiver, has done what many NFL players do when they are unhappy with their teams: He unfollowed his teammates on Instagram.
Aiyuk, who is seeking a new deal, is no longer following the 49ers’ official account.
As he enters the fifth and final season of his rookie deal, Aiyuk has made it clear that he seeks a long-term contract extension that would place him among the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers. Aiyuk stated a few weeks ago that he is attempting to obtain what he deserves and questioned whether the 49ers appreciate the value in what he offers.
There have been suggestions that Aiyuk could be dealt, but 49ers General Manager John Lynch replied to those concerns by saying he wants to have Aiyuk around for the long term.
When asked about speculations that Aiyuk could be dealt to Pittsburgh, Lynch responded, “I promise you, nothing’s going on there.”
If Aiyuk plays out the final year of his rookie deal, he will earn $14.1 million this year before being franchised or becoming a free agency in March 2025. Aiyuk would love to obtain a huge contract now from the 49ers — or from another team ready to trade for and pay him.
Several prominent members of the New England Patriots’ historic 20-year run have expressed dissatisfaction with Apple TV+’s “The Dynasty” docuseries on the team.
The 10-part series’ most popular critique is its unfavorable portrayal of long-time head coach Bill Belichick. Controversial topics such as his deteriorating relationship with quarterback Tom Brady, his friendship with former President Donald Trump, and Malcolm Butler’s strange Super Bowl benching overshadowed his legacy as probably the best coach in NFL history.
Many former Patriots, notably Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty, and Rodney Harrison, criticized “The Dynasty” for focusing on the problems. On Friday, Stephon Gilmore joined the list of players who believe Belichick has been unfairly represented.
After finishing the series, the former Patriots cornerback moved to social media to express his admiration for his former head coach. Read his posts below:
Episode 10 of “The Dynasty” spotlighted Belichick’s spectacular coaching performance vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. As Gilmore mentions, Belichick switched his defense from man to zone and limited the high-powered Rams offense to just three points. Gilmore played a key role with a timely interception in the 13-3 victory, which marked the sixth and final Super Bowl title of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era.
Gilmore enjoyed the most productive stretch of his 12-year career with Belichick as his head coach. In addition to becoming a Super Bowl champ, the 33-year-old was named the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and earned both of his All-Pro nods in New England.
“The Dynasty” didn’t paint Belichick in the best light, but he’ll have a chance to tell his side of the story. According to a recent report, he’s currently writing a book while spending time away from the sideline.
As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the 49ers have a lot of crucial decisions to make, particularly regarding their first-round pick.
With several spots in need in San Francisco, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently discussed why he feels the 49ers should choose Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The Crimson Tide cornerback had a standout junior season and may help the 49ers’ backfield with his top speed and playmaking skills, as Jeremiah mentioned on the NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft” special.
“When you look at what he’s done, just over the last few weeks, he gets a chance to go out there [during his pro day], show that he’s healthy coming off that foot injury, and ran a really fast time,” Jeremiah told ESPN. “It was faster than I thought. And it was one of his biggest questions.
McKinstry will have surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot, but he should be fully recovered by the start of training camp. The 21-year-old never missed a game while at Alabama, and his performance in the 2023 season earned him All-American honors.
The offseason has had plenty of twists and turns for the 49ers, with the team parting ways with several veteran players to clear enough cap space for the impending deals with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and quarterback Brock Purdy.
While San Francisco has a whopping 10 total picks in the draft, getting an impact player with the No. 31 selection in round one would go a long way, though many expect the 49ers to select an offensive lineman to protect Purdy.
Still, selecting McKinstry would be a good addition to the defense and give the 49ers an elite option to pair with Charvarius Ward.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place on April 25-27 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Mich.
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