As the San Francisco 49ers were catching up against the New York Jets at the end of the first half on the first Monday Night Football of the new 2024 season, Brock Purdy hit a perfectly placed ball for Brandon Aiyuk into the corner of the end zone.
But instead of catching the ball for a touchdown, it bounced off Aiyuk’s outstretched hands and was disappointingly dropped. Although it would have been a difficult pike catch, Aiyuk managed to get his hands on the ball. A catch he would normally make safely.
After the drop, the 49ers settled for a field goal in the final seconds of the first half to extend their lead against the Jets.
After Aiyuk’s drop, a Hall of Fame quarterback wasn’t happy with the recently paid pass receiver. During ESPN’s alternate “Manning Cast,” Peyton Manning criticized Aiyuk for his failure in training camp. Both Peyton and Eli Manning praised Purdy’s throw on the second attempt.
Over @Deadspin on Twitter:
Peyton Manning was NOT happy with Brandon Aiyuk 🤣pic.twitter.com/SNC1efNl2T
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) 10 September 2024
Aiyuk was conspicuously absent during training camp and missed the entire preseason while awaiting a contract extension. Aiyuk signed his new, extensive contract extension less than a week before Monday night’s season opener against the Jets.
In the first half, Aiyuk only recorded one catch for 14 yards against the Jets.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on on facebook. And Þjórsárdalur!
