The Brandon Aiyuk situation reached a resolution on Thursday night, as the standout wide receiver finalized a four-year, $120 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers. The journey leading up to this agreement resembled a dramatic roller coaster. At various points, it appeared that Aiyuk would become a player for the Washington Commanders, then it seemed certain he would be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the end, Aiyuk will remain in the Bay Area.
Reports suggested that the 49ers considered multiple trade possibilities involving Aiyuk with different teams, but it ultimately fell to Aiyuk’s representatives to negotiate a new deal with a potential trading partner. Looking back, it would have required a substantial offer to pry Aiyuk away from San Francisco. Additionally, the 49ers specified that they desired at least one player in return in any trade involving Aiyuk. Notably, the Denver Broncos may have interfered with the potential trade to Pittsburgh.
According to sources, the 49ers were only open to the idea of trading Aiyuk if they could acquire a “top-flight” receiver to fill his role. San Francisco made an offer to Denver for Courtland Sutton, suggesting a third-round pick in exchange, and had that proposal been accepted, Aiyuk might have been traded to the Steelers. However, the Broncos declined the trade for Sutton.
There were also other factors contributing to Aiyuk’s decision to stay. Pittsburgh could have included one of its starting wide receivers in the negotiations or offered Aiyuk a lucrative contract.
As time passed without an agreement, the cost for the 49ers to retain their top wide receiver increased. With the wide receiver market experiencing significant growth and other teams simultaneously in discussions with Aiyuk’s camp, his contract expectations rose. Ultimately, Aiyuk signed a deal that would have made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL had it been finalized earlier in the offseason.