49ers’ star receiver Brandon Aiyuk finds himself in a contract standoff that’s as tense as a fourth-quarter drive. Meanwhile, Julian Edelman has some strong advice for Brandon Aiyuk. The former Patriots star believes Aiyuk should stay with the San Francisco 49ers for the 2024 season. Edelman emphasized the importance of team success over individual gains, suggesting that Aiyuk could reap significant rewards if the 49ers achieve their Super Bowl aspirations.

“If I was Brandon Aiyuk, I would be in San Francisco week one,” Edelman stated on FOX’s pregame show before the 49ers‘ preseason game against the New Orleans Saints yesterday. He pointed out that while many players seek big contracts after a Super Bowl win, the 49ers haven’t yet reached that milestone. The former WR stressed the need for mental toughness and focus on the team’s goals over personal interests. “There’s a jackpot at the end of the rainbow,” he added, hinting at a substantial payday if the team succeeds and attains that SB ring.

Aiyuk’s 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular. He scored 1,342 yards on 75 catches, averaging a jaw-dropping 3.3 yards per route run. That’s the fourth-best number for a wide receiver since 2010, folks. But here’s the kicker: 37.3% of his catches were explosive plays, receptions that went for at least a 20-yard gain. Talk about a big-play threat!

Now, Aiyuk wants to cash in on that success. Reports from ESPN suggest he’s eyeing a contract in the neighborhood of $32 million per year. That’s top-three receiver money, putting him in the company of guys like Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams. The 49ers, however, aren’t ready to open the vault yet.

Meanwhile, Edelman’s advice isn’t just feel-good chatter. It’s rooted in the Tom Brady school of team-first economics. Brady, the NFL’s GOAT, made a habit of restructuring his contracts with the Patriots to give the team more financial wiggle room. The result? Six Super Bowl rings and a legacy that’s hard to match.

Julian Edelman channels Tom Brady’s playbook

When it comes to contract negotiations, Tom Brady wrote the book on team-friendly deals. But don’t be fooled – he wasn’t taking pay cuts. He was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.

As NFL analyst Dan Patrick pointed out on his March 13 show, “Tom Brady restructured his contract quite a few times in New England. Now he didn’t take pay cuts, he just restructured it. He got paid all that money he wasn’t a mercenary. It’s just you’re shifting the money well six Super Bowls later in New England and we know how that helped that team.”

Brady’s strategy wasn’t just about helping the Patriots. It was a long-term play that paid off handsomely. By giving the team cap flexibility, he enabled them to surround him with top-tier talent. The result? More wins, more Super Bowls, and ultimately, more endorsement deals and a legacy that transcends the sport.

This blueprint isn’t gathering dust, either. Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs‘ wunderkind QB, seems to be taking a page from Brady’s book. In a move that would make Brady proud, Mahomes recently restructured his contract, freeing up more than $21 million in cap space for the Chiefs. That’s the kind of team-first move that could help the Chiefs load up for another Super Bowl run.

For Aiyuk, the decision isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about weighing immediate financial gain against long-term success and potential earnings. As the 49ers and their star receiver continue to negotiate, with the season opener against the Jets just three weeks away, all eyes will be on whether Aiyuk chooses to follow in Brady’s footsteps or forge his path.

Will Aiyuk hold out for a top dollar, or will he bet on himself and the 49ers’ success? As Edelman might say, there’s a jackpot at the end of that rainbow – but only if you’re willing to chase it.