The San Francisco 49ers have a great wide receiver in Brandon Aiyuk. This is something that 49ers fans know well, and if the general NFL fanbase does not know this, they will in 2023. Based on his progression every year and the high praise he has received already in training camp, 2023 will be a big year. Also to be noted, Aiyuk will be up for a contract extension after his fifth-year option was picked up this offseason. Here is a look at his past seasons and what the other members of the 49ers have been saying about Aiyuk.
Brandon Aiyuk’s Career
Aiyuk was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. His rookie season was not a bad one, but as 49ers fans know, Kyle Shanahan did put him in the dog house. This limited him to 12 games, 11 starts. In the three seasons with San Francisco, he has gotten better each year. By 2022, he definitely proved to the league that he should not be underestimated. It will be extra exciting to see him in a contract year.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (11) – Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
In his three years, Aiyuk has had 194 receptions for 2,598 yards and 18 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. He did have two rushing touchdowns in his rookie year, but he is a receiver over a runner. His best season so far was last year in 2022. He had 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns. None of that even includes playoffs, which the 49ers have made two years out of the three he has been with the team. In the 2022 postseason, Aiyuk had just six receptions for 109 yards.
Aiyuk is part of a crowded receiving room. Of course, Deebo Samuel is on the team, but George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey will also receive. What makes him stand out the most in this group is his route-running skills. Aiyuk has demonstrated a tremendous ability to get around the defender. This makes it easy for any quarterback to pass him the ball.
High Praise from the Team to Brandon Aiyuk
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (11) – Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The 2023 San Francisco 49ers training camp has only just begun, and Aiyuk is already making himself known. To start, he has been trash-talking his own defense on social media. This is not in a bad way; no 49ers fan should be worried. Aiyuk is demonstrating true confidence and genuinely feels like no one can cover him. It is all great competitiveness. The 49ers give it their all on the field, and Aiyuk is making sure the NFL knows he is not playing around this year.
When Deebo Samuel spoke to the media on Wednesday, he heavily praised his fellow wide receiver. Deebo stated, “From year 1 to now, his confidence level is through the roof.” Aiyuk has always had talent, but he needed first discipline and now confidence. On Thursday, Brock Purdy participated in team drills for the first time since he sustained a UCL injury. While he was rusty, he made a great pass to Aiyuk, which can be watched here.
What to Expect From Brandon Aiyuk in 2023
If Aiyuk remains healthy throughout the 2023 season, there is no reason for anyone to doubt that he will reach over 1,000 yards. He did it in 2022, and he is more than capable of doing it again this coming season. He can definitely shoot for more. Something to watch for is his receiving touchdowns. In 2022, he had eight in the regular season and none in the postseason.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (11) – AP Photo/Tony Avelar
The 49ers did much better in the red zone toward the end of the 2022 season. Between Aiyuk’s route running and Purdy already back practicing, this could be a big year for Aiyuk’s production in the red zone. The receiver will have time to practice with his quarterback ahead of the season, which was definitely a worry a couple of years ago. Of course, the two have played together; they played essentially half of the 2022 season together. Now they will go into the season prepared with more chemistry. This will help Aiyuk more than some may believe. Add that to the way the receiver has naturally progressed more and more each season… opposing defenses should be worried.
Brandon Aiyuk is finally starting to receive the national media attention that he deserves. San Francisco fans already know what he can do. He is already many fans’ favorite player; of course, that comes down to personal preference, though. 49ers fans should be excited for 2023, and other NFL fans should be on watch.
