AUGUST 30: Full details on the Aiyuk pact are in, courtesy of Florio. The frontloaded compensation includes a $23MM signing bonus, $11MM of which will be paid out in the next two weeks. His 2025 earnings are made up of $20.88MM in base salary, roster and workout bonuses which are guaranteed at signing. Another $4MM will be locked in on April 1 of that year. Altogether, this deal consists of $45MM fully guaranteed, with the $76MM total guarantee figure set to emerge not long after the 2025 league year begins.
Aiyuk’s 2026 salary ($1.22MM) and per-game roster bonuses ($750K) are guaranteed for injury at signing and will fully vest one year early. Notably, his salaries for 2027 and ’28 – $27.27MM and $29.15MM – are not guaranteed, so the 49ers will be able to get out of the contract in either of those seasons (an unlikely development, given his age and production) barring adjustments being made down the road via restructures. Aiyuk’s 2024 cap number will drop to $5.73MM, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
AUGUST 29: Months of negotiating drama with Brandon Aiyuk, which featured trade talks with a few teams and an eventual trade agreement, defined the 49ers’ offseason. But the saga will end with a peaceful resolution. Aiyuk is not going anywhere, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reporting an extension is in place.
The 49ers have agreed to terms with Aiyuk on a four-year, $120MM deal, which Garafolo and Rapoport indicate includes $76MM guaranteed. This process will end closer to Aiyuk’s believed price point than San Francisco’s, but the defending NFC champs will have the second-team All-Pro back at work soon.
Aiyuk held in for 38 days, but as the 49ers did with Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel, a late-summer extension will bring a close to this chapter. Though, this was a more memorable saga than those involving Bosa and Samuel. Aiyuk is now signed through 2028, and this agreement suddenly brings Samuel’s Bay Area future — post-2024, that is — into question.
It looks as though the sides are meeting in the middle. Rather than sign a three-year deal like Samuel did in 2022, Aiyuk will be under 49ers control for four seasons beyond 2024. Instead of the $26-$27MM-per-year price point San Francisco — and would-be trade partner Pittsburgh — initially landed on, Aiyuk will become the NFL’s sixth $30MM-per-year wideout. Long seeking a deal at $30MM per, Aiyuk joins Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyreek Hill in this club, one that expanded from one to six this offseason.
Lamb’s extension may not have driven the 49ers’ talks across the goal line, as he and Jefferson are on a higher plane in terms of AAV and guarantees. But the market is effectively set for 2024, unless the Bengals make an unexpected deal with Ja’Marr Chase before 2025. This 49ers agreement coming to fruition less than two weeks before the season will wrap one of more voluminous sagas in PFR history.
This is a frontloaded deal, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who reports the contract includes $90MM over the first three years. This helps cover for Aiyuk not reaching guarantees past $80MM — a long-rumored ask. Although Aiyuk is now contracted through his age-30 season, he should have another chance — should the 2020 first-rounder’s career remain on this trajectory — to cash in on a big-ticket deal in his prime. Aiyuk, 26, will receive $47MM between now and April 1, 2025, Rapoport adds.
Considering the fight Aiyuk put up, it does appear a bit strange his $76MM guarantee number checks in only in a tie for sixth (with Jaylen Waddle, who signed a three-year extension) at the position. But the contract’s full guarantees and full payout structure will reveal the detailed ending to this long-running tale.
San Francisco’s resolution does not appear to have involved an 11th-hour raise, as The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes these numbers have been in place for weeks. Aiyuk, who has watched practices at points and been absent from practice fields at others, now must return to work ahead of the 49ers’ Monday Night Football debut against the Jets. Providing clarity, Schefter adds this offer has been on the table since August 12.
The 49ers have now dispensed with one half of their disgruntled-player contingent, with Trent Williams‘ holdout now moving toward center stage. Williams’ contract issue has a long way to go to catch Aiyuk in terms of updates, with this back-and-forth producing many twists and turns (featuring a few documented meetings) since the parties began negotiating months ago.
For the 49ers, this keeps an essential piece of the puzzle in place. A trade at this juncture would have made it difficult for the team, Kyle Shanahan‘s play-calling acumen notwithstanding, to produce an offense on the level of 2023’s machine. The 49ers have now extended Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey this year; Samuel and George Kittle are under contract through 2025.
Aiyuk is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season; the Arizona State alum totaled 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns to help Brock Purdy deliver a historic 9.6 yards per attempt in 2023. Under the hood, Aiyuk’s numbers were even better. He ranked third in yards per route run (3.01) last season; this undoubtedly influenced his asking price, with Team Aiyuk effectively capitalizing on the 49ers needing him for another run in 2024. After falling short of 850 yards during each of his first two years, Aiyuk has put it together.
“We believe his best football is ahead of him,” a 49ers exec told veteran reporter Jordan Schultz. “He’s only 26, he’s still learning the intricacies of the position. This is an ascending player. … There’s no reason why he can’t have a similar career as a Davante Adams, for example.”
Aiyuk being offered $30MM per year on August 12 shows how well his camp did, considering the 49ers were at $26-$27MM per annum before that point. This all came after the 49ers let Aiyuk shop around. Despite a reported Patriots offer north of where this 49ers deal ended up, Aiyuk did not want to be dealt to New England. The Browns put Amari Cooper, along with second- and fifth-round picks, on the table; Aiyuk expressed disappointment in a Cleveland destination. Even the Commanders, who drafted ex-Aiyuk college QB Jayden Daniels, hovered on the Aiyuk periphery.
Playing for Mike Tomlin appealed to Aiyuk, but the Steelers’ offer did not exceed $28MM per year. This prompted the disgruntled receiver to return to the table with 49ers brass, and only minor details remained to be ironed out in recent days. Even though Pittsburgh’s contract offer was not quite what Aiyuk sought, the sides agreed on trade framework. This became a backup plan, though Aiyuk had long viewed San Francisco as his top choice. John Lynch had also continued to convey a desire for Aiyuk to be in the fold long term, and the 49ers’ top-level skill-position crew (now featuring first-round pick Ricky Pearsall) now has at least one more season to play together.
The Steelers falling short for Aiyuk spotlights a thin skill corps post-Diontae Johnson. George Pickens remains the top target for Tomlin’s team, and Pat Freiermuth looms as an extension candidate. Now-starter Russell Wilson, though, does not have much else of consequence to target. The team will need third-round rookie Roman Wilson, who missed training camp time due to injury, to step up early — barring a late-summer or in-season trade, that is.
Even though Pittsburgh’s receiver development has shined for many years, the team’s current setup — which also features ex-Rams and Falcons contributor Van Jefferson — appears thin. This is the ending the Steelers anticipated, however, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac.
A champagne problem is approaching for the 49ers. With Aiyuk now signed and a Brock Purdy extension on the team’s 2025 radar, the prospect of Samuel’s future comes into focus. The 49ers may well be in trade talks again with a high-end wide receiver next year. Samuel will be 29 ahead of his 2025 contract year, and with Pearsall on a rookie deal for a while, he would be a more logical complement to his former Arizona State teammate — assuming Purdy is indeed extended — than Samuel, who joined Aiyuk in draft-weekend trade talks.
That is a down-the-road issue for the 49ers, who have managed to avoid what would have been an odd trade based on their trajectory. The team, which has continued to fall short in Super Bowls and NFC championship games, has retained the nucleus that pushed the Chiefs near double overtime in Super Bowl LVIII. Aiyuk will again be in place to help Purdy and Co. navigate that elusive hurdle this season.
Finally. Just glad it’s done. Wonder what the guarantees look like?
76 million is guaranteed is all we know
Front loaded with 47 to be paid between now and April
Where do you see that information? I don’t see anything saying that the extension includes new guarantees for this year, let alone that more than half the total guarantee will be paid out this year. We need more information. If this only covers through his age 30 season, than this extension doesn’t include any new money for this year.
Thankfully he signed. I was going to start a Go Fund Me page for the guy because I thought he might starve or something. I mean he barely had any options to get paid for crying out loud. Glad that’s over.
It’s not easy living on a diet of lemons…you could start a Go Fund Me page for me 🙂
Sorry, didn’t see this message sooner. If you are still curious it was Rappaport who reported he would get $47m between now and April
And…….once again, much ado about nothing.
It actually cost the 49ers a lot more than it cost Aiyuk. It cost them a whole lot of time. They still have another important player who needs to be addressed. By refusing to just get to a resolution faster or simply trading him they are this close to the season with no resolution on Williams. The time both of them held out also means it will take longer for them to be ready to be 100% ready for the season and in season form with the lack of practice time. For a team that wants to win now needing 2-3 games to get them up to speed is a waste.
I’m not sure it cost the 49ers anything. While Aiyuk wasn’t practicing with the team, he was practicing, and getting in shape. Starters don’t play in 49ers preseason games until the first half of the last game, so he only missed a couple quarters of action. Aiyuk already has the best chemistry with Purdy amongst receivers. He doesn’t need to “get up to speed” either, he already knows the whole playbook and last season when he finally started after being injured he had instant success and instant chemistry with his teammates. Aiyuk wanted more money and more guarantees than he got, and the 49ers allowed to him to shop around and then paid him in accordance with how other teams valued him.
Williams is completely removed from this situation. In an organization with anywhere from 53-100 players to manage, working on two contracts at once isn’t a burden. Williams wants a raise, and the 49ers will eventually give him one, and they let him take it easy a bit during the offseason. He’s old and already considered retirement a couple times. Letting him sit out the preseason and then get going is ideal for both parties. He doesn’t need to get up to speed, he’s the best tackle in the league and it’s not close.
49ers once again proving their class by not trading people when the demand it and instead getting deals done. You are watching chess but think you’re watching checkers.
The 49ers haven’t won it all since Steve Young was around. Makes in funny to act like they are playing chess and all that when the best way to see their most recent Super Bowl win is likely on a VHS tape. They are like the Cowboys if they were more successful in the playoffs. Teams who have a roster of mercenary mentality players generally aren’t the teams that end up getting that first ring as a group. They aren’t all on the same page with the same goal.
The ridiculous Aiyuk drama certainly distracted the organization from other business they needed to attend to. The Niners have the oldest roster in the league and the schedule has them getting 21 days less rest than their opponents. That is going to have an impact. I also think they are prime candidates to suffer a SB hangover. They aren’t going to miss the playoffs but I can see them stumbling through much of the season the way Buffalo did last season.
@Black Ace57
I honestly don’t think there are any players that won’t do mercenary work if the price is right. I remember Terrell Suggs saying he wouldn’t play for any team but Baltimore but then changed his tune and signed with the Cardinals. A more recent example is Derek Carr who said he would retire rather than play for a team other than the Raiders. Surprise! surprise! He became a mercenary too when he saw the money the Saints were offering.
I agree with you. I think all of those things are true. My point is if this team is to actually get over the hump and win it all you need a team of guys all committed to the main goal of winning. By the time training camp starts or is at least halfway done these kinds of things shouldn’t be happening.
I think part of the problem is that leadership in the NFL is gradually being replaced by bureaucratic decision making (which takes forever). There is also far more pointless posturing in the media now than there was in the days before the internet and social media sites.
Well played Brandon, well played sir
Had to pay him, good for him, but it’s a lot of money for a 1 time 2nd team all pro.
Lots of money been given to players with even less credentials then that.
How the Niners stay under the cap will be interesting creative math contortion.
By cutting a couple of big dollar players next year.
In Paraag We Trust
Either they don’t extend Purdy and go with another cheap QB or someone like Samuel has to go.
Ward, greenlaw,Campbell, Dobbs, Givens, Flannigan Fowles, Yiadom, Rock, Conely, Givens, Feliciano, Mitchell, Hufunga, Lenoir, McKivitz, Banks, plus a bunch more are all FA after this year. It ends up being something close to like 70M off the books. Some will be re-signed but it’s not that bad. Plus if Gross-Matos and Floyd don’t work out they can be cut without big penalties after the year and that is like another 20M. They are going to be absolutely fine.
You need to subtract $40M for a new Purdy contract
But that still leaves 35 million and most of the holes can filled via draft. It can work, especially considering the salary cap is expected to continue its dramatic climb.
The team is still projected to be $38 million over the cap with all those players gone. Thats without a Purdy extension. Some other big names will be cut. This is probably the last push for a SB before retooling.
After looking at over the cap, it’s 28 million over now. A little better but still an issue they’ll have to address.
Let’s put this conversation on hold until next year. When absolutely none of the big names get cut.
Finally the crybaby can shut the F up and play. Anyone want to bet me he gets hurt before the 3rd game of the season?
Exactly! Spoiled azz players “hold in” and get their way. I’ll bet you good money he has a down year statistically.
Brandon was about to get played. His team saw this. Simple. Without him. 9ers would over use and injur kittle. Which will probably still happen.
What exactly did he say so much that he needs to “shut the f up”? He’s been pretty quiet through this entire process. But yeah just make up nonsense. You on the other hand calling someone a crybaby for trying to maximize their earnings because of their rare talent and wanting to take bets (that we all know you won’t pay) on whether someone gets injured. With hopes that it happens. You come across as a miserable and unhinged person. Please get the help you obviously need.
He’s not even the best receiver on his own team. I call him a crybaby because you have to EARN that money, not sit on your ass and pout. He’s probably going to use some of that money to frame his 19th place ribbon from last year. He was 19th in the NFL, not even top 10. San Francisco is going to end up not being able to keep the team together because crybaby wanted to get paid like he was a superstar. When they have to get rid of some GREAT players this snot nosed baby man will be crying about playing on a crappy team. Nobody else would have paid him so they should have let him sit.
But he is the best receiver on his own team. Deebo does a lot of behind the line stuff. BA is better down the field and runs better routes. Over the last 4 years, BA has more targets, receptions, yards and TDs than Deebo. He is a MUCH better WR.
1. He is the best WR on his team and anyone with a clue will tell you that.
2. 75 receptions 1342 yards 17.9 YPC 7 TD Metrics had him ranked as the 2nd most efficient WR in the league. This is on a team with CMC Kittle and Deebo all getting a lot of touches/targets. So your notion that he hasn’t earned a big contract is nothing short of nonsense.
3. I don’t know what you are talking about with 19th place ribbon and neither do you. Obviously just you making up more nonsense for some strange reason with nothing to back it up.
4. They haven’t had to get rid of any “great” players to sign him and the closest thing to great that they will get rid of next year is Deebo who’s body is breaking down and is on the back end of his time as a valuable weapon. So again more unsubstantiated nonsense from you.
5. More calling him a crybaby. Seems like your go to for some reason. Again your reasoning was because he didn’t “earn” his contract which as we pointed out in number 2 that was an idiotic claim. So you have no reason for calling him a crybaby so it’s just kind of weird you keep saying it. Probably more of a confession.
6. A team that is one of the top 2 favorites to win the Super Bowl should have made their best wide receiver sit when they are trying to win a Super Bowl. That is your take?! Haha what a great idea that is! Let’s not try to win! What a great message that would send to the locker room and to future players thinking about playing for them down the road. Another idiotic idea. Hey at least you are consistent
In conclusion I think everyone can agree you are a clown and have no idea what you are talking about. Go get a napkin and get all that egg off your face.
Isn’t your name a typo? Lmao
What kind of terms do you want on the bet?
I’ll say this for him. He played the Steelers to his advantage. Genius negotiator
Khan is still waiting for a phone call, I’m sure
ABOUT DAMM TIME
blah blah blah … better extend Trent STAT
Dude seriously. Give him whatever the hell he wants, he’s the least replaceable player on the team! Not to mention the backup LT’s have largely played like crap this preseason
Purdy’s worst games were without Trent.
at least this is over with. 9ers caved in.
So ……. 49ers caved. Good to know.
Caved? He got a 3 year 77 million dollar deal…
They had to pay him. Purdy looked mid at best without his full arsenal of weapons next to CMC, Aiyuk is his biggest weapon.
Unfortunately their window is closing quick. Can’t pay everyone and Purdy is due a HUGE raise. Shanahan’s tendency to wet himself when it matters most has already cost them multiple rings. This might be the last year of their window.
What did Shanahan do to “wet himself” to cost them rings. Be specific in your examples. Don’t give the classic “he got too conservative” blanket response that people seem to use a lot. That is code for “I don’t know what I’m talking about and heard someone say this once” so please be specific since you are so matter of fact certain he cost them multiple titles.
Guys like you that want good teams to fail so bad are hilarious. Yeah the starting QB definitely didn’t look at his best without his starting RB, TE, either of his starting WRs, OT, C, RG….. do you think that any QB in the league would look good without all that?
Too much money for these guys. Cap killers.
Deebo and Kittle are probably gone after this year so they can pay Purdy who won’t look nearly as good without those two. It’s this year or bust for them
2 year window. Everyone under contract for next two years. They will keep the core together and cut other places. Moody Ward and Hargrave next year.
teams keep adding players to the top 20 highest paid receivers without a ring list
all that drama and delay for $30 mil a year lmao bruh the nfl is hilarious sometimes. Good for Aiyuk tho
Bengals fan here fyi. Is there really a difference between let’s say 30 or 40 million a year??? Come on man, in reality 5-10mil you’re set for life! All this money on every sport/actors is out of control! I’m hoping that my bengals do sign chase, but in a way I think maybe they shouldn’t as this will cause cap issues down the road. What if these high paid players get hurt? You’re then strapped for cash to sign a replacement. I think from now on these contracts should have stipulations that you HAVE to play out your full contract, and if you don’t, we have the right to recoup like 75-80% of the total contract. That should be a stick in the side for these overpaid athletes!!!!
I like the four exclamation points and generally agree with you, but if players are getting paid this much—no matter the sport—imagine what owners are making. Doesn’t seem like there’s any ceiling where salaries are concerned. Not rocket science to figure out why
Comparing people who own the company to labor…. Dumb Marxists.
Cookie man, you say 5-10 mill set for life? Vince Young begs to differ
Big waste of time once he requested a trade and then started shooting down teams that were offering what he wanted. He had no intention to leave because he benefits from being the 4th option that opponents think about.
Oh hey, a reasonable contract that’s above the best guys who are number twos like Waddle and Smith and below the elite number ones. All this vitriol about Aiyuk on here and turns out it landed about where it should.
This Steelers fan is elated with this contract news.
I agree now they can keep that champagne on ice to celebrate another 8-10 win season.
When you do a cost of living comparison between Pittsburgh and San Francisco after 9 home games he would need to make $12 million more in San Fran to be equal. So he should’ve asked for $40 million per year compared to Pittsburgh’s $28 million.
Steelers fans everywhere celebrating. Not worth the draft capital, not worth that kind of extension, DEFINITELY not worth both. This clown and SF deserve each other.
Patriots, Cleveland fans as well! dodged the ol proverbial bullet
Oh yeah, celebrating.
The Steelers have no real offensive weapons beyond Pickens. Pats as well, and the Pats OL is suspect as well.
They sure did dodge that bullet!!!
thanks for helping me make my point. No OL, Pats have much more to worry about than an overpaid diva WR that runs straight lines, he would do nothing for them this year, so yeah they dodged that bullet.
Celebrate another 8 win season haha talk about clown!
Our long national nightmare is over.
Can’t wait to see who will be this next offseason’s drama queen in the headlines.
Love that both Aiyuk and the 49ers waited to the last minute to do this…really sent a message