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Peyton Manning Criticized Brandon Aiyuk For Costly Drop in First Half vs. Jets

Peyton Manning couldn't believe Aiyuk didn't haul this pass in.

Karl Rasmussen

Manning reacts as Aiyuk fails to secure a catch in the end zone vs. the New York Jets.
Manning reacts as Aiyuk fails to secure a catch in the end zone vs. the New York Jets. / Screenshot via @cjzero on X
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk didn't have the best first half in Week 1 in what was his first appearance for the team since signing his four-year, $120 million contract and ending his offseason holdout.

Perhaps dealing with some rust, Aiyuk failed to secure a couple of passes from Brock Purdy, including a drop in the end zone on a pass he really should've hauled in.

Purdy's pass was nearly perfect, as he led Aiyuk into the corner of the end zone and gave him enough space to make a play. For a player of his caliber, one would expect the star wide receiver to turn that into six points, but he ultimately was unable to reel it in.

Peyton Manning, who was watching along on the ManningCast with his brother Eli and guest Bill Belichick, was among those who were in disbelief by Aiyuk's drop, and he unloaded on the star wideout on the air.

"Get signed, get in training camp. There's a reason for training camp. You need it. You need the reps. Get those contract done earlier so we can get in training camp and we don't drop balls on opening night," said Manning. "You're still catching balls at a high school field from some quarterback that's 45 years old, my age. You're not catching balls from your quarterback. Get signed, get in camp and we don't drop the ball."

Aiyuk caught just one of his first four targets in the game for 14 yards, but it was the throws that he failed to catch that stood out to fans, who couldn't help but wonder if his lack of participation in training camp and practice during the offseason was having an impact.

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Karl Rasmussen
KARL RASMUSSEN

Karl Rasmussen is a staff writer for the Breaking and Trending News team for Sports Illustrated. A University of Oregon alum who joined SI in February 2023, his work has appeared on 12up and ClutchPoints. Rasmussen is a loyal Tottenham, Jets, Yankees and Ducks fan.

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