The 49ers have finally secured Brandon Aiyuk. Although Aiyuk missed training camp and preseason games this summer, he and the team have agreed to a contract that places him among the NFL’s highest-paid receivers—a group that has seen salaries soar this year. Aiyuk’s deal is valued at $120 million over four years, with $76 million guaranteed.
Aiyuk is now one of just six receivers with an average annual salary of $30 million or more, joining Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, AJ Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Tyreek Hill. Except for Hill, all of these contracts were signed this offseason.
However, this deal almost fell through. Reports indicate that the 49ers initially had an agreement that would have sent Aiyuk to the Steelers for second- and third-round picks, conditional on using the third-rounder to acquire Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton, who is also seeking a new contract. The Broncos, however, demanded more in return for Sutton and declined the offer.
49ers Would Have Flipped 3rd-Rounder
Although it was known that the 49ers were open to trading Brandon Aiyuk, they weren’t willing to do so without securing a quality replacement. The team is bracing for significant salary cap challenges after this season, so they’re fully committed to making the most of their Super Bowl opportunity in 2024, especially after their overtime loss to the Chiefs in February.
Diana Russini of The Athletic detailed the specifics of their unsuccessful attempt to acquire a replacement:
“The 49ers were only interested in trading Brandon Aiyuk if they could secure a top-tier wide receiver as a replacement. They offered Denver a third-round pick for Courtland Sutton and planned to trade Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined,” Russini reported on Twitter/X.
Albert Breer of SI.com added: “From what I understand, this scenario would have involved the 49ers receiving second- and third-round picks from Pittsburgh for Aiyuk, with the third-round pick going to Denver. The Steelers, however, weren’t willing to give up a player for Aiyuk. In the end, keeping Aiyuk was always San Francisco’s preferred outcome.”
Brandon Aiyuk Contract Sets up Tough 2025
The resolution of the Aiyuk situation is a relief for the 49ers, as the team had always intended to keep him, according to reports from Breer and others. Aiyuk’s impressive performance last year, with 1,342 yards on 75 catches, established him as one of the NFL’s top deep-ball receivers.
However, the 49ers now face two pressing issues. The first is immediate: they need to negotiate a contract for left tackle Trent Williams, who is as crucial to the team as Aiyuk. Williams is currently in the fourth year of his six-year, $138 million contract, although much of the remaining money is not guaranteed.
The 49ers will likely find a solution that includes a modest pay increase and more guaranteed money for Williams, who earned his 12th consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2023.
The second issue is managing the team’s 2025 free agents and new contracts, including quarterback Brock Purdy, most of the defensive backfield, half of the top offensive linemen, and potentially leading to the release of star receiver Deebo Samuel.
But that’s a challenge for next winter. For now, Aiyuk is secured, and Williams’ contract is the top priority.
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