The Brandon Aiyuk contract saga is finally over
Finally, we have a resolution to the Brandon Aiyuk drama down in Santa Clara.
The star receiver for the San Francisco 49ers wanted a contract extension, formally requested a trade, and signs were pointing to Aiyuk potentially going to the Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers. Aiyuk was a training camp hold-in and incurring fines as he waited for either a new team to play for or a contract that met his (and his agent’s) demands.
After a long, almost comically arduous process, Aiyuk has agreed to a $120 million contract extension. He’s staying with the reigning NFC champions.
And in case you’re wondering whether Aiyuk took an improved deal…
What’s an interesting side story is the report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that the 49ers made an offer for Denver Broncos star Courtland Sutton, but the offer was rebuffed. Presumably Denver thought a third-round pick was too low an offer for their best target.
The 49ers’ story isn’t over in terms of contract extensions or restructures, however. Superstar left tackle Trent Williams has held out the whole of training camp and preseason, and there are no signs that it’s going to end any time soon. Williams is entering the fourth year of his six-year, $138 million contract extension, and recent contracts elsewhere means that the consensus best offensive tackle in the NFL is no longer one of the top-five highest paid tackles in terms of average per year. Of course, Williams is 36 years old and that’s not a prime age for non-quarterbacks to get huge paydays.
While Aiyuk remains a 49er, at least we don’t have to keep following that story anymore.
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