The long-awaited breakout game for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may not be coming in Week 4 when the 49ers host the New England Patriots and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Aiyuk through three games has just 11 catches for 119 yards on 20 targets. He’s still looking for his first touchdown in 2024. For comparison, he was at 17 receptions, 320 yards and two touchdowns through his first three games last season.
There’s an understandable frustration bubbling up from fans after Aiyuk missed all of training camp and the preseason before agreeing to a four-year, $120 million contract on Aug. 29. His absence from camp is being blamed for his paltry production and two drops through three games (he had two drops all of last season).
It stands to reason there’s a breakout coming for the 2023 All-Pro eventually. Aiyuk is getting separation, there’s clearly a little rust with him and quarterback Brock Purdy still and the entire 49ers’ offense is still settling in without running back Christian McCaffrey.
On the other hand, it’s nigh impossible to expect Aiyuk’s first big performance of the season to come against Gonzalez, who has been sensational through the Patriots’ first three games.
In Week 1 he matched up with Cincinnati Bengals’ superstar WR Ja’Marr Chase. He held Chase to just 15 yards and three catches on three targets.
In Week 2 he drew Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf. Gonzalez notched one pass breakup and held Metcalf to four catches and 27 yards on seven targets.
Last week it was New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson who did log a touchdown against Gonzalez per Pro Football Focus. The TD was the highlight of a nine-target, five-catch, 33-yard day for Wilson against the second-year CB.
That trio of receivers combined for 19 targets, 12 receptions, 75 yards and one touchdown when matched up against Gonzalez. He held quarterbacks to a passer rating of 88.7 when targeting Chase, Metcalf and Wilson.
Chances are Aiyuk will draw Gonzalez more often than not when the Patriots visit Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, especially with WR Deebo Samuel still out. Perhaps Gonzalez matches up with WR Jauan Jennings instead after Jennings’ monster outing against the Rams in Week 3. In that event we may see a big-time day for Aiyuk. If it’s Gonzalez on Aiyuk though, it may be a fourth consecutive quiet day for San Francisco’s superstar receiver.
