After sitting on the sidelines for a good portion of training camp, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk showed some signs of rust on Monday Night Football.

Aiyuk, who appeared at practices to avoid fines but did not participate, ended his holdout – or, rather a ‘hold in’ – when he got paid a handsome four-year, $120million contract in late August.

With that heavy price tag came the expectation to perform and Aiyuk did not rise to his standards – only hauling in two of five targets for 28 yards in the Niners’ 32-19 win over the New York Jets.

In one particular moment of the game, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy aired out a deep pass toward Aiyuk in the end zone after the receiver beat his coverage – only for Aiyuk to drop the ball for an incompletion.

Watching on was Pro Football Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning – broadcasting the ‘Manningcast’ with his brother Eli – who ripped into the receiver for dropping what would have been a game-breaking touchdown.

An angry Manning said, ‘Get signed, get in training camp, there’s a reason for training camp. You need it, we need the reps.

‘Get those contracts done earlier so we can get in training camp and we don’t drop balls on opening night.’

Manning added: ‘You’re still catching balls at a high school field from some quarterback who’s 45 years old – my age – and not catching balls from your quarterback. Get signed, get in camp, and we don’t drop the ball.’

After struggling in their first series, the 49ers proceeded to score on eight straight drives – kicking six field goals and scoring two touchdowns.

Aaron Rodgers, making his return from an Achilles injury, completed 13-of-21 passes for 167 yards, a touchdown, and an interception for the Jets.