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After the San Francisco 49ers’ 32-19 win over the New York Jets on Monday night, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk reflected on a missed opportunity – a perfectly thrown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy slipped through his hands in the end zone shortly before halftime. The 49ers had to settle for a field goal.
At Levi’s Stadium, Aiyuk was in the spotlight after recently ending his contract dispute and signing a new deal that makes him one of the richest receivers in the NFL. Aiyuk finished the night with just two catches for 28 yards.
“It was a dime a dozen,” Aiyuk said of Purdy’s potential touchdown pass. He’s looking to rebound from that mistake this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings.
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NFL legend Jerry Rice was a guest on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game on Tuesday morning and was asked how long it would take for Aiyuk to get back to form after not practicing with his teammates until last week.
“I think Brandon Aiyuk is going to need a few more games,” Rice said. “I think we’re all in that healing process right now because, man, it’s been crazy during the offseason. It’s been like a roller coaster, back and forth. I think with him, he’s probably putting pressure on himself to make those plays, but eventually he’ll just be able to relax and just play football.”
“But he didn’t have any preseason games or anything like that, so the rhythm is a little off. And when the regular season starts, it reaches a whole different level. People don’t realize that the level was much lower during preseason. Now it’s much higher.”
Despite the incomplete pass, Rice was impressed with Purdy’s throw to Aiyuk.
“When I saw Brock Purdy throw the 10-ball like that, I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s a beautiful ball. That’s a beautiful ball. Now look at the ball really closely.’ It was just a shame he (Aiyuk) couldn’t get it in. But I think he’ll find his rhythm.”
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below.
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