Peyton Manning let Brandon Aiyuk have it on Monday night time.
The Corridor of Famer laid into the San Francisco 49ers vast receiver for dropping what would’ve been Aiyuk’s first landing cross of the season simply earlier than halftime of their 32-19 win over the New York Jets on Monday.
With 15 seconds left within the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw what seemed to be an ideal cross to Aiyuk within the nook of the top zone. Ayiuk dove to haul it in, however the ball went proper by way of his fingers.
Whereas it wasn’t the best play on the earth, it’s one which Aiyuk ought to make extra occasions than not.
“There’s a cause for coaching camp! You want it! We want the reps!” Manning mentioned, clearly pissed off, whereas speaking along with his brother, Eli, and former New England Patriots head coach Invoice Belichick on their alternate broadcast of the sport on ESPN2.
“Get these contracts carried out earlier so we will get in coaching camp and also you don’t drop balls on opening night time.”
Aiyuk was angling for a brand new contract with the 49ers all through seemingly your entire offseason. Whereas he lastly reached a four-year, $120 million extension with the franchise late final month, he held out from coaching camp and put in a commerce request at one level — which almost resulted in him being dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers at one level. He even admitted that he “made it just a little bit tougher than it wanted to” be when it got here to his contract negotiations, although he acquired his deal ultimately.
Aiyuk didn’t really observe with the crew for the primary time this fall till final Tuesday, both. Though Aiyuk was absolutely working towards on his personal earlier than rejoining his teammates, Manning does not assume that high quality was wherever near ok.
“You’re nonetheless catching balls at a highschool area with some quarterback that’s 45 years previous, my age. You’re not catching balls out of your quarterback,” Manning mentioned. “Get signed, get in camp, and we don’t drop the ball!”
Aiyuk racked up 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on 75 catches final season whereas serving to the 49ers attain the Tremendous Bowl. The 26-year-old is beginning his fifth season within the league this fall.
Although he’s positive to settle in and get going ultimately, his 2024 season is off to a gradual begin. He had 28 yards on two catches and was focused 5 occasions in the 49ers’ 13-point win over the Jets.
