Rice wants Aiyuk to break his 49ers rookie receiving record

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In a season full of disappointment, 49ers rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues to be a shining star for San Francisco.

As quarterback Nick Mullens let the game slip out of his hands Sunday against the Washington Football Team, Aiyuk set career-highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (119). He now has 50 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. The Arizona State product also is closing in on a franchise record held by none other than Jerry Rice. 

"Hell yeah!" Rice said Monday morning on 95.7 The Game's "The Morning Roast" when asked if he wants Aiyuk to break his 49ers rookie receiving yards record. "Of course. And I'll be the first one to congratulate this guy."

Rice owns the 49ers rookie record for receiving yards with 927. Aiyuk is 268 yards behind breaking Rice's record. He would need to play all three of the 49ers' remaining three games and average 89 yards per game. 

Aiyuk so far this season is averaging 66 yards per game so far this season, and he has missed three games to injury and being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Rice also had a big luxury as a rookie, with Joe Montana throwing him passes. A hobbled Jimmy Garoppolo, along with Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, have been the ones targeting Aiyuk this season. 

That's a pretty big difference at quarterback.

"I think he is the future and he's gonna continue to get better," Rice said about Aiyuk. "And like I said, there's more to come from him. He's a very explosive receiver. I think he's just gonna continue to get better.

"If he breaks my record, I'll be the first one to congratulate him and I think next year is gonna be a big year for him."

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The 49ers traded up in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to select Aiyuk with the No. 25 overall pick. That continues to look like a great move as Aiyuk has proved to be San Francisco's No. 1 receiver in Year 1. 

Aiyuk already has earned the respect of Rice, and he just might break one of his many records to cap off an impressive rookie year.

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