1) Can the 49ers make Brandon Aiyuk happy?
49ers GM John Lynch already had a tough challenge in trying to work out a contract extension with Aiyuk, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal and isn’t participating in minicamp. Recent events in the wide receiver market have made that task even tougher. As much as Justin Jefferson‘s new deal (four years, $140 million) impacts this situation, it’s likely an assortment of other deals that cloud this negotiation. Aiyuk isn’t at the same level as Jefferson but his production over the past three seasons — 209 receptions, 3,183 yards and 20 touchdowns — compares favorably with players who just signed massive new contracts of their own. Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown (315-3,588-21) received a deal that averages $30 million a year, while Miami’s Jaylen Waddle (251-3,385-18) now has an extension that averages more than $28 million per year. It’s hard to argue Aiyuk doesn’t deserve to be in that neighborhood.
What makes it difficult on Lynch is San Francisco already has a roster loaded with expensive players (seven players, including Aiyuk, have cap hits of at least $12 million) and quarterback Brock Purdy is eligible for an extension after this season. There’s already been plenty of speculation about what happens to fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel down the road if a deal with Aiyuk gets done. Lynch also is operating like one of the two will be leaving eventually, using a first-round pick on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in April and signing veteran Jauan Jennings to a new deal. This process isn’t going to get any easier, but the one thing that is certain: Aiyuk is getting paid one way or another.
2) Have the Eagles fixed their defense?
If you listen to Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, it appears they are moving in the right direction in Philly. Graham made some pointed comments about the factors involved in the Eagles’ defensive problems in 2023, most notably saying the team “didn’t have all the right coaches in the right position.” The main issue that evolved from that dynamic, according to Graham, was a recurring trend of faulty communication that lingered throughout the season and plagued Philadelphia in its playoff loss to Tampa Bay.
The Eagles hired veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to correct a lot of those woes. It’s just as interesting that Graham praised the work of new defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, who will be tasked with maximizing the potential of former first-round picks like Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. But don’t get it twisted. The demise of this unit didn’t fall entirely on Sean Desai and Matt Patricia, the two men who coordinated that group last year. The Eagles needed more talent on the back end, and they’ve found that in the return of veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the drafting of cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and defensive back Cooper DeJean. It already sounds like there is more excitement about those additions, along with more faith in Fangio’s proven schemes.