On Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers secured their star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, with a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
This deal brings closure to a tumultuous offseason filled with trade rumors and negotiations, where Aiyuk even expressed concern about his future with the franchise. At one point, during a FaceTime chat, he revealed, “They said they don’t want me back,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his position.
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Despite these challenges, Aiyuk has returned to the team that drafted him in the first round in 2020. Recent reports indicate that the 49ers actively explored trade options, seeking a top-tier replacement before making a final decision on Aiyukâs future.
According to Dianna Russini from The Athletic, the 49ers offered a third-round pick to the Denver Broncos for Courtland Sutton, alongside plans to trade Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Denver declined that offer.
Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated added that while the Steelers were open to sending picks in exchange for Aiyuk, they didn’t want to include any players, complicating the negotiations.
Ultimately, the 49ers decided to stick with Aiyuk, who has proven himself as a key player on the team. This decision allows the 49ers to maintain their core roster as they prepare for another season after narrowly missing a Super Bowl victory last year against the Kansas City Chiefs. General manager John Lynch prioritized keeping the team’s main pieces intact, a goal he achieved with this latest contract.
As the 49ers gear up for their season opener against the New York Jets on September 9, Aiyuk is set to take the field, continuing his promising career in San Francisco.
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