Some say the 49ers can be a little dysfunctional at times. (I won’t say that. But some do.) For those who believe that, the way the team is handling Brandon Aiyuk’s contract helps bolster their case.

Aside from CeeDee failing to set a deadline before the start of training camp (which the 49ers also did with defensive end Nick Bosa last year), the 49ers could have gotten Aiyuk for a lot less than they ultimately paid if they hadn’t misplayed their hand and misjudged the market’s growth.

Before the Lions signed Amon-Ra St. Brown, the 49ers (reportedly) could have closed the deal for $27 million per year in new money. As explained in July, after it was reported that Aiyuk had requested a trade, five teams were willing to offer $28 million per year. The 49ers, however, did not want to move Aiyuk.

In July, the latest, best amount was $27 million per year.

That number eventually got better. At $12 million total, on the four-year extension. But Aiyuk isn’t ready to play, not as ready as he would have been if he had practiced.

The message to all teams is simple. If you’re going to make the deal, what are you waiting for? It never, ever gets cheaper. And if you do it before training camp starts, he’ll be more ready to go than if he (like Aiyuk) missed the entire training camp.

Here the 49ers misjudged the growth of the market, the willingness of other teams to pay Aiyuk, and ultimately his decision to dig in and not practice. And it cost them $12 million.