Shanahan downplays viral Aiyuk hug as contract negotiations stall originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Actions speak louder than words, but that apparently isn’t the case in 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s viral hug with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
The pair were seen partaking in a friendly on-field embrace during Wednesday’s training camp practice, prompting plenty of speculation that the sides could be nearing a resolution after months of contract negotiations.
But Shanahan quickly threw water on any idea that the hug was anything more than the usual greeting he and his star wide receiver typically engage in when they see each other.
“That’s just usually how we greet each other, honestly,” Shanahan told reporters after Friday’s practice. “You guys would see maybe a lot more hugs in here if we had a film for you guys, but we’re not on ‘Hard Knocks.’
“We saw him on the field. He hadn’t been on the field a lot. We walked by each other, and it’s usually how we greet each other. Bro hug — nothing more, nothing less. Thank you.”
“That’s usually how we greet each other. Bro hug. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Shanahan downplays yesterday’s interaction with Brandon Aiyuk and states there’s no update on contract negotiations pic.twitter.com/U9Ltzcy6zP
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 2, 2024
Aiyuk and the 49ers haven’t made a lot of progress on a contract extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.“
Any optimism stemming from the warm embrace likely faded as quickly as it arrived, with Shanahan’s comments all but writing off the encounter as anything of significance.
While Aiyuk’s presence at San Francisco’s training camp practices and participation in team meetings is far more encouraging than the alternative of a complete absence, until the star officially signs a new deal, 49ers fans will remain on the edge of their seats, searching for any clues — even innocent hugs between player and coach.
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