The San Francisco 49ers have decided to retain standout wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, putting an end to months of swirling trade rumors. Despite speculation that Aiyuk might be dealt—most notably to the Pittsburgh Steelers—the 49ers have opted to secure the 2020 first-round pick with a lucrative four-year contract extension reportedly worth up to $120 million.
This outcome is likely the best-case scenario for all parties involved, with the exception of the Steelers, who were heavily linked to Aiyuk during the offseason. NFL insider Dianna Russini revealed on Thursday night that Pittsburgh came close to landing Aiyuk, but a potential deal fell through at the last minute.
According to Russini, the 49ers were prepared to trade Aiyuk if they could acquire a top-tier wide receiver to fill his shoes. San Francisco reportedly offered a third-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Had the Broncos accepted the offer, Aiyuk would have been on his way to Pittsburgh in a corresponding move. However, when Denver declined the trade, the 49ers opted to keep Aiyuk, solidifying his place in San Francisco.
Russini tweeted, “The 49ers were only willing to trade Brandon Aiyuk if they could get a top-flight WR to replace him. They offered a third-round pick to Denver for Courtland Sutton, and then would’ve dealt Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined the offer. So, he stays in SF.”
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Aiyuk has blossomed into a rising star over the past two seasons, with his 2023 campaign serving as a breakout year. He recorded a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and earned second-team All-Pro honors, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier receivers. In the postseason, Aiyuk continued to shine, contributing 149 yards and a touchdown on nine catches across three games, playing a pivotal role in San Francisco’s run to Super Bowl LVIII.
With Aiyuk’s future now secure, the 49ers are even more formidable as they enter the 2024 season as serious Super Bowl contenders. The next challenge for the team is resolving the contract situation with star left tackle Trent Williams, ensuring that their offensive line remains intact and strong.
The 49ers will kick off the 2024 season on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets on September 9, with Aiyuk set to be a key component of their offensive attack.
