Brandon Aiyuk‘s contract saga has fans more jittery than a rookie in his first playoff game. But what’s brewing inside the 49ers‘ locker room?

Fred Warner, the team’s All-Pro linebacker and de facto locker room thermometer, recently took the temperature of the situation. Speaking to 95.7 The Game, Warner served up a reality check. “Yeah, sure, man. I mean, I feel like this is part of it,” he said.

Warner’s nonchalance isn’t just for show. He’s been through this rodeo before. “Obviously when you’re a part of such a talented roster, I feel like this is something that goes on every season,” he added. Despite the contract drama, Warner emphasizes unity: “Obviously we all just let them handle that. And, uh, you know, when he, when he’s back, he’s back and we will welcome him with open arms.”.

But let’s not kid ourselves, the 26-year-old wideout is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is eyeing a payday that would make even Silicon Valley tech bros whistle. He’s set to earn $14.124 million in the final year of his rookie contract, but he’s seeking long-term security in a market where receivers are cashing in like it’s the dot-com boom all over again.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the 49ers want to work out a long-term deal, but it’s not going to be a walk in Golden Gate Park. “Obviously, it’s not going to be simple,” Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show, “and they know there are issues and obstacles in front of them.”

Meanwhile, George Kittle, the 49ers’ star tight end and resident hype man, is singing Aiyuk’s praises. “Aiyuk’s just a phenomenal football player,” Kittle gushed to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. “He does everything you want him to do as a wide receiver, including taking touchdowns from me once in a while, which I’m totally OK with.”

49ers’ playbook: keep calm and carry on?

While Aiyuk’s absence might have some fans reaching for the panic button, the 49ers’ front office is playing it cooler than the Pacific breeze. General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan are treating these negotiations like a chess match, each move calculated and deliberate.

The team’s first-round selection of Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall raised eyebrows. Is it insurance? A bargaining chip? Or just another piece in the 49ers’ offensive puzzle? Whatever it is, it’s clear the 49ers aren’t putting all their gold nuggets in one pan.

Shanahan himself has emphasized Aiyuk’s importance to the team’s offensive success, particularly for young quarterback Brock Purdy. “It’s hard to be successful at quarterback if you don’t have real good receivers. So it starts there with Brandon, and I think that’s real big for Brock in his future,” Shanahan stated, underscoring the high stakes of this contractual tug-of-war.

Chris Broussard, never one to shy away from a hot take, threw a curveball into the mix on the First Things First show. He suggested Aiyuk take a page from Purdy’s playbook. “Your quarterback is playing the most important position in the sport, and he is going to make $985,000 this year,” Broussard pointed out, highlighting the stark contrast between Aiyuk’s $14 million salary and Purdy’s modest earnings.

But former NFL wide receiver James Jones isn’t buying the comparison. On the SPEAK  show, Jones declared, “Brandon Aiyuk is that dude for you.” He went as far as to claim, “You’re not even to the Super Bowl without Brandon Aiyuk if Brandon Aiyuk is not on this roster.” Talk about putting the ‘gold’ in the Golden State.

The trade rumors are swirling like the winds at Candlestick. Reports suggest that before the draft, five teams were ready to pay Aiyuk what he wanted if they could reach acceptable trade terms with the 49ers. This has some fans flashing back to the DeForest Buckner situation. As Emmanuel Acho warned on SPEAK, “Niners fans, Shanahan, John Lynch, don’t let history repeat itself.” He pointed out how they traded Buckner, drafted Kinlaw as a replacement, and ended up signing Javon Hargrave to a similar contract three years later.

As the 49ers gear up for another run at that elusive Super Bowl ring, the Aiyuk drama adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling story. Will he show up to training camp? Will a deal be struck? Or will the 49ers have to face the music and potentially trade one of their top offensive weapons?