It started with Aiyuk claiming the 49ers didn’t want him anymore. Now it seems like maybe it’s Aiyuk that doesn’t want them.

This is all theater of course, it’s the song and dance that so many big name players go through when they want a new contract. Trying to put pressure on the club through the fans, or maybe trying to entice another team to show interest in order to create a pretend bidding war.

It’s all so much high school drama, trying to make your boyfriend/girlfriend jealous by flirting with someone else. But they still do it because it works.

But with a deeper look, I think there might be a little more to this story of Aiyuk. Of the big four on San Francisco’s offense (McCaffery, Samuel, Kittle, Aiyuk) he has the most targets, receptions, and receiving yards. He is for all intents and purposes, their #1 receiver. But when you watch this offense, it never feels like he’s the #1 option.

McCaffery, Kittle and Samuel fit this offense beautifully. They create mismatches with the defense. They use their size and strength to find openings for Brock Purdy to get them the ball underneath and let their athleticism shine with yards after the catch. Aiyuk’s skillset is precision. He’s not the fastest guy or the biggest guy, but his footwork and route running are second to none on the team.

Aiyuk is a downfield threat, making precision cuts to get open. He sets up the defensive back, reads the safeties and breaks to the open area waiting for the ball. And this is where the story of the 49ers not wanting Aiyuk has some merit. Aiyuk gets open. But the ball doesn’t make it there as often as it should. The problem between Aiyuk and the 49ers is Brock Purdy.

Purdy’s arm is not suited for rifling the ball into a tight window. He’s not going to throw a timing route over the middle. His arm just doesn’t have the juice. And that’s why McCaffery, Samuel and Kittle thrive in the offense. They get open under ten yards from the line of scrimmage. Purdy can put the ball up to them and they will get the extra yards. Aiyuk’s yards after catch is minimal compared to those three. And it’s because of his style of play and the lack of balls thrown to him on his break.

If this is the offense they are going to use, and if Brock Purdy is truly the long term answer at quarterback, then Aiyuk really doesn’t have a place on this team going forward. He’s talking about trying to get a trade to Washington or Pittsburgh, but neither of those are good fits for him. Russell Wilson is not a timing quarterback so he’ll find the same problem there (along with a very conservative coaching approach). In Washington, there is so much newness there (owner, coaching staff, rookie quarterback) that finding any kind of success in the next three years will be rough.

Aiyuk’s best bet is to look at the AFC South. Catch passes in Houston from CJ Stroud, help Anthony Richardson develop with a great offensive coach in Indianapolis, or join up with Jacksonville and help turn that offense into something the rest of the AFC would fear.