NFL Rumors: Ex-Patriots Wideout Was Brandon Aiyuk Backup Plan For 49ers

The reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers had doubts about reaching a contract extension agreement with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk before Week 1, and for good reason. As a result, the team explored its backup plan options to ensure its depth before opening the season against the New York Jets.

San Francisco contacted the Las Vegas Raiders inquiring about former New England Patriots wideout Jakobi Meyers, per Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. However, Las Vegas wasn’t interested in parting ways with the former Patriot after the 27-year-old’s debut campaign in a Raiders jersey; Meyers recorded 71 receptions on 106 targets for 807 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 appearances.

“The Raiders rebuffed San Francisco’s overtures for (Meyers),” Silver reported.

Granted, Meyers isn’t the No. 1 receiving option in Las Vegas — that would be six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams — but considering Meyers is younger and efficient, albeit not at a Hall of Fame level like Adams, the Raiders don’t have the incentive to trade the six-year veteran. Meyers signed a three-year, $33 million with Las Vegas in free agency last offseason, officially ending his four-year run in New England.

Meyers led the Raiders in receiving yards (61) during the team’s 22-10 Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, beating out Adams — who totaled 59 receiving yards — while getting two fewer receptions (3) throughout the season opener.

Aiyuk, on the other hand, laid an egg after the offseason-long feud with San Francisco’s front office and non-appearance during training camp. The 26-year-old now signed to a four-year, $120 million extension, recorded a subpar 28 yards off two receptions and dropped a touchdown pass in the final seconds of the second quarter during San Francisco’s 32-19 win over Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. The no-show performance was so mediocre, in fact, that Aiyuk was too “scared” to watch film. That’s not what the 49ers whipped out their wallets and paid $79 million in guaranteed salary for.