Legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice may have just hinted at some big news for San Francisco 49ers fans—or possibly dealt a final blow before this saga ends. The all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns recently caused a stir in the Bay Area with his latest post about the unsettled star Brandon Aiyuk. “I guess we all find out tomorrow GOATS!” Rice posted cryptically on Instagram, via Bleacher Report. “Will he stay or leave!”
While it’s risky to read too much into this kind of statement, it would be unusual for the three-time Super Bowl champion to take this tone if he suspected Aiyuk was about to be traded. Fans don’t want to be left guessing just before potentially losing their team’s top wideout.
Moreover, the possibility of a contract extension adds to the optimism surrounding the 49ers-Aiyuk situation. The 49ers haven’t ruled out an extension yet, and reports suggest that the two sides aren’t far apart in negotiations, meaning a last-minute push by San Francisco can’t be ruled out. The team’s ownership might decide that securing the 26-year-old to a lucrative new deal is better for their Super Bowl hopes than sending him to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Niners often take their time with such decisions, general manager John Lynch usually gets deals done before the season starts. Despite Aiyuk requesting a trade in July, this franchise might still work its magic. Aiyuk, named a Second-Team All-Pro last season after catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, also made the game-changing catch in the NFC Championship against the Detroit Lions. Jerry Rice knows better than anyone how important a star receiver can be to a team.
49ers management clearly recognizes this too, or Aiyuk might already have been traded. While they’ve explored all options, if the Super Bowl 23 MVP is right, the end of this standoff may be near.
Whatever uniform the Reno, Nevada native wears this season, it’s crucial for San Francisco to move forward. One thing’s certain: Jerry Rice is eager for a decision to be made.