49ers Rumors: Latest Buzz, Players to Watch at Mandatory Minicamp
The start of mandatory minicamp for the San Francisco 49ers has already brought its share of storylines to watch, as the reigning NFC champs take their first steps toward get over the hump in the Super Bowl after coming so close last season.
Tuesday came with a notable contract extension for a key member of the 49ers, though not the one everyone has been anticipating all offseason.
Christian McCaffrey received a two-year extension worth $38 million that keeps him under contract with San Francisco through the 2027 season.
This will also be the first full offseason that quarterback Brock Purdy has to work with the first-team offense. He was third on the depth chart and fighting for a spot on the roster as a rookie after being selected with the final pick of the 2022 NFL draft.
Purdy spent last offseason recovering from elbow surgery to repair the torn UCL he suffered in the first quarter of the 2022 NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Even with some key losses following the 2023 campaign, including Arik Armstead and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the 49ers still boast a deep roster that should keep them among the top teams in the NFC.
Here are the key players and storylines to keep an eye on as the three-day mandatory minicamp runs through Thursday.
Latest on Brandon Aiyuk's Contract
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This week has potentially done a lot to provide some clarity on Aiyuk's contract situation, even though there is no indication a deal is imminent.
Justin Jefferson's four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings has set the benchmark for receiver contracts. This can help give the 49ers a template to build on in their talks with Aiyuk's camp.
Aiyuk did not report to minicamp on Tuesday, making him subject to up to $101,716 in fines if he skips all three days.
ESPN's Jeff Darlington explained on NFL Live this is a "wildly interesting situation" for the 49ers because they could face a situation where, if Aiyuk doesn't sign an extension, either he or Deebo Samuel will likely not be on the team in 2025.
This is not an unusual pattern for the 49ers to take with a star player. Since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch were hired prior to the 2017 season, their approach has been to get deals done closer to training camp.
Samuel and Fred Warner signed their extensions in late July. George Kittle signed his deal in mid-August. Nick Bosa didn't get his deal done until the first week of September last year, days before the start of the regular season.
If the season begins and Aiyuk doesn't have a new deal, then it will be safe to assume this could end up being his final year in the Bay Area.
Deebo Samuel Addresses Future
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Amid all of the offseason talk about Aiyuk, the 49ers receiver who might be in the most precarious position is Samuel.
There were rumblings prior to and during the first round of the draft that either Aiyuk or Samuel could be traded.
After the 49ers used their first-round pick on Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall, it only added fuel to the fire. Shanahan told reporters after the first round ended a deal involving either receiver was unlikely.
Samuel had a very pragmatic response when asked about the trade rumors after his first day at minicamp.
"Yeah, I heard it," Samuel said of the rumors. "Had a conversation with my agent about it. They was going back and forth with whoever it was. It was a thing at first, but we done moved past it. So we here, and we here to get better."
Samuel also said he knew "what I signed up for" when he agreed to his extension with the team in July 2022.
Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle laid out the various scenarios for the 49ers and their receivers, including the possibility either Aiyuk or Samuel gets traded prior to the deadline in November.
While you can never rule anything out, it would seem unlikely either player gets traded at this point.
The 49ers are still trying to compete for a Super Bowl this season. Their best chance to do that is with both Aiyuk and Samuel on the roster.
Trading either one of them would presumably bring back future draft assets, but if that was the case, why wouldn't you have moved at least one of them prior to this year's draft to reap the rewards in a season when you hope to challenge for a title?
San Francisco's greatest strength is all of the skill-position talent it has put around Purdy. This is likely going to be the last year when he is playing on a bargain contract, so you might as well take advantage of it while you can.
Key Players to Watch
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The 49ers put a long-term plan in place at wide receiver in the draft by selecting Pearsall. He was their first pick in the first round since 2021 and will be counted on to add another dynamic element to an already stellar passing game.
Pearsall had several notable fans when he was drafted, including Aiyuk and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Aiyuk's absence from minicamp has opened the door for Pearsall to get more opportunities this week. He appears to be taking advantage of them, based on the reaction from portions of team drills open to the media.
Sticking with key rookies who could play a big role on the team, second-round pick Renardo Green will likely play in the slot to begin the season with the idea he will eventually move outside.
Green only had five coverage snaps in the slot last season at Florida State. The Niners are taking a risk because Deommodore Lenoir played very well as the primary slot in the second half last year, but they could move him outside to get Ambry Thomas off the field.
Another player to keep an eye on who has flown under the radar is De'Vondre Campbell. One of the biggest reasons San Francisco's defense has been among the best in the NFL over the past five seasons is the play of Warner and Dre Greenlaw at linebacker.
Greenlaw seems unlikely to be ready for the start of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles he suffered in the second quarter of the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Warner's presence will go a long way toward keeping the defense strong, but Campbell's play in Greenlaw's absence could be the difference between this being a good unit or closer to average.
Campbell certainly seems to be enjoying his new home coming off two injury-plagued seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
If Campbell can play anywhere close to the level he did in 2021, when he was named to the All-Pro first team, the 49ers will continue to have the best linebacker duo in the NFL with him and Warner.
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