49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
In a dominant display during the opening week of the regular season, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk fulfilled his promise to take off. Aiyuk’s outstanding performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers earned him the title of NFC Offensive Player of the Week, a commendation he had never received before in his career.
Aiyuk showcased his skills as quarterback Brock Purdy targeted him eight times throughout the game. The talented receiver caught every one of those passes, accumulating an impressive 129 yards and scoring two touchdowns. This performance has positioned Aiyuk as the third-highest receiver in terms of yards in the entire NFL, trailing only Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Kyle Shanahan attributes Aiyuk’s tremendous improvement to his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering work ethic. Shanahan noted that Aiyuk’s consistency has been evident since last season, where he emerged as the leading receiver for the 49ers. Aiyuk’s dedication during the offseason has evidently paid off, resulting in his remarkable performance.
Shanahan expressed his surprise at Aiyuk’s significant contributions to the game, stating, “You never know how it’s going to play out, but he got eight opportunities and he came down with all eight of them.” Aiyuk’s standout play of the day didn’t even involve touching the ball himself. He delivered a devastating downfield block on Pittsburgh defensive back Damontae Kazee, enabling Christian McCaffrey to embark on a remarkable 65-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Aiyuk has now become the first 49ers offensive player to receive the Player of the Week award since Christian McCaffrey’s commanding performance in Week 8 of the previous season against the Los Angeles Rams. During that game, McCaffrey showcased his versatility by throwing a touchdown pass alongside his rushing and receiving touchdowns.
Throughout his tenure in the NFL, Aiyuk has consistently grown and honed his skills. From recording 748 receiving yards as a rookie, he progressed to 826 yards in 2021, and in his most recent season, he amassed an impressive 1,015 yards with eight touchdowns.
49ers fans have high hopes for Aiyuk following his stellar start to the season, and they eagerly await his continued success on the field. To stay updated on all things 49ers and join in on the excitement, fans can download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast.