The San Francisco 49ers never trailed in their opening week matchup against the Detroit Lions. A win was expected, but what wasn't was how little wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk factored into it.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was vocal to reporters on Aiyuk's lack of involvement, adamant that he made the right decision based on what he's seen in practice.
“I know this is all being like we're punishing Aiyuk or something because Trent [Sherfield] got even reps with him or we rotated those guys,” said 49ers coach Shanahan. “I'm not going to sit here and say he's got to do the A, B, and C to get back out there. It's more the practice in the last month and one guy's been there everyday. The quarterback's got a lot of confidence in him. I do. If he wants to be out there every single play, he's got to be a lot better than the guy behind him.”
“If he wants to be out there every single play, he’s got to be a lot better than the guy behind him.” Kyle Shanahan on Brandon Aiyuk #49ers pic.twitter.com/SbevTTkEHS
— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) September 15, 2021
Aiyuk led the 49ers in targets, receptions, receiving touchdowns, and yardage gained last season. In their first game, he did take the field on some plays, but was not targeted even once. Deebo Samuel got the lion's share with nine, while the man Shanahan claims is ahead of Aiyuk in Trent Sherfield got two.
This Week 1 underperformance could very well just be a move to light a fire under Brandon Aiyuk. We'll know more about where he stands in Week 2 as the 49ers take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
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