It’s hard to narrow down one after a disappointing 2024 season, but Brandon Aiyuk’s return to form will be vital in 2025.
The San Francisco 49ers‘ wide receiver room will look different in 2025. Jauan Jennings enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, Ricky Pearsall is looking for a second-year leap, Demarcus Robinson was brought in as veteran depth, Jacob Cowing is trending up after a productive offseason, and the 49ers added Jordan Watkins in the draft. Not to mention – Deebo Samuel’s departure for Washington.
But what about former All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk?
Following a contentious offseason negotiation, which ultimately led to the 49ers signing the former Arizona State receiver to a massive contract extension, Aiyuk started slowly without a training camp before suffering a devastating knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
Kyle Shanahan updated Aiyuk’s recovery timeline on Tuesday, saying Aiyuk wouldn’t be ready for training camp, leading to speculation of a PUP designation for the 49ers’ number one receiver.
Given the youth movement with the wide receivers, Aiyuk will be relied on to not only mentor the younger players but also lead the group with his play on the field.
Is Aiyuk the player with the most to prove in 2025?
Zoltán Buday of Pro Football Focus believes so.
Aiyuk enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, boasting a second-ranked 91.5 PFF overall grade among all wide receivers. However, he has yet to prove it was not a fluke season. It has been established that Aiyuk is a true No. 1 wide receiver after he ranked among the top 30 players at his position in PFF overall grade in each of his first three seasons. Nevertheless, he took things to another level in 2023.
This past season was a different story. His early-year play was uninspiring, and his season was cut short after just seven weeks. He earned a 74.6 PFF overall grade, which ranked 33rd among 133 qualifying wide receivers.
The 49ers have an aging roster, and their Super Bowl window appears to be slowly closing, so the team needs Aiyuk to show that he can get back to that level once again in 2025.
The 49ers are banking on Aiyuk as the future cornerstone receiver, and his play will need to reflect that confidence in 2025. Wide receiver coach Leonard Hankerson has spoken about Aiyuk’s mentorship for the young receivers, calling him a “quasi-coach” as he continues to work his way back from his knee injury.
If the 49ers’ passing offense reaches the heights of 2023, Aiyuk will be a critical piece of the puzzle for Shanahan and Brock Purdy.