This week’s Mailroom tackles the Vikings’ quarterback room and Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers’ receiver issues.
June has been one of the slowest month for football news yet, with not much happening on a day-to-day basis. However, that doesn’t mean that we’re without some drama– especially in the rumor mill. Plenty have begun to speculate about JJ McCarthy’s slow start and what the Minnesota quarterback room will even look like come August and September.
Plus, Brandon Aiyuk’s contract talks have sputtered, coming to a near halt. Ricky Pearsall’s arrival and the 49ers’ reluctance to push for Aiyuk’s demand have left both at an impasse that seems impenetrable for both parties. Eerie social media posts, a lack of transparency, and a stubborn attitude on the two ends makes for a cloudy prediction on what’s going to happen. As always, send your questions to The Mailroom at: thesidelinecatch@gmail.com.
JJ McCarthy looks like he’s not going to get the nod for at least the first couple of games. Do you think this means anything for the Vikings or are we all just freaking out for no reason?
Tony W. | Roseville, MN
JJ McCarthy was never going to be the right away starter, for whatever that’s worth. McCarthy was always meant to sit behind Darnold barring a massive undersight in McCarthy’s abilities. The thing is, with JJ, his evaluation was somewhat unique in the fact that despite going to a powerhouse Division I school his sample size of film was miniscule.
Was he a first-round talent? In my opinion, yes. Are Vikings fans being impatient? Also yes. The notion that a raw, unproven quarterback should be geared up and ready to go on Week One is a dangerous one. It’s how the Panthers ended up in the Bryce Young situation and how nearly every single quarterback bust comes to fruition. McCarthy will be fine, Darnold is a good QB to learn behind and the NFC North will be much closer than people think.
Brandon Aiyuk’s return to San Francisco sounds like it’s getting more and more implausible by the minute, is there any way the 49ers pay him what he wants?
Zak H. | Ontario, CA
The short answer, probably not. At the end of the day, it simply doesn’t make sense for the 49ers to pay him what he wants. The Niners signed Ricky Pearsall for that very reason. Sure, he might not have the experience that Aiyuk does, but he sure as hell is a lot cheaper.
To my understanding, Aiyuk wants to stay with the 49ers, and said so to TMZ Sports– the issue is that the 49ers see him as a sort of expendable option. He was a unique gadget tool in the Shanahan offense, but as the game has caught up, anyone can begin to fill that role and it’s starting to be a prerequisite for slot wideouts coming into the NFL.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler previously reported that talks between the 49ers and Aiyuk “have stalled a bit.”
Aiyuk and the 49ers are continuing to exasperate the situation with Aiyuk missing minicamp and the offseason program– which according to standard procedure for the Niners, means $101,000 in fines for Aiyuk.
He’s not Deebo Samuel and in the eyes of the 49ers, he can be replaced. Obviously turnover is dangerous for an offense that relies on good wide receivers, and San Francisco wants him to stay– but it has to be at the right price.
College Football 25 ranked Colorado as the 16th-best team in their power rankings. Thoughts?
Alexi T. | New Berlin, WI
I think we all know how I feel on Colorado by now. They’re not deserving of even being talked about as atop team. Deion Sanders’ gloating and transfer portal madness has done nothing but brought the team plenty of unwanted attention.
It would’ve been fine if his ethos worked, but it doesn’t. College Football 25 also seems to be playing for clicks by putting them so high up there.
