49ers' Shanahan on Aiyuk: Patience Over Quick Fix

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San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan faced tough questions about wide receiver Brandon Ayuk

at the NFL owner's meetings. The team is dealing with Ayuk's contract holdout amid plans for

their season opener in Australia and managing running back Christian McAfry's workload.

Shanahan said there's no set date for a resolution, but it will happen eventually and there are

no rush to make a move that's not right for the Niners. The big factor here is the June

1st deadline, which changes everything financially. Before that date, trading or cutting Ayuk would

hit the cap with $30 million in dead money and no savings. After June 1st, it drops to just

$8.3 million in dead cap, freeing up $6.3 million in relief they desperately need.

Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch are playing at SMART, prioritizing the team's long-term

health over a quick fix. They're not about to give away value just to clear space right now,

even with Ayuk's undeniable talent on the field. Potential trade partners like the New Orleans

Saints or New England Patriots could step up, but Ayuk's contract demands over $50 million in.

Remaining salary, keeping trade value low, think late-round picks, maybe conditional ones based

on performance. For now, the 49ers are holding the line until the price matches their patience,

letting the calendar do the heavy lifting as they eye a stronger cap. Position heading into the