The Brandon Aiyuk saga ended with the star wide receiver staying in San Francisco, just the way both he and the team hoped. But it wasn't an easy process.
“I’m not going to lie, I made it a little bit more difficult than I needed to at the end,” Aiyuk said Tuesday in his first comments since inking a four-year, $120 million extension on Aug. 29.
The Niners’ brass often verbalized their desire to keep Aiyuk in town yet discussed potential trade options with other clubs and allowed the wideout to negotiate potential deals. Aiyuk’s social media comments and official trade request added some questions as to whether the 26-year-old desired to stick with the 49ers. He told reporters on Tuesday his desire never wavered.
“I just had a feel for what I wanted, not just in terms of money, but in all those things,” Aiyuk said, via The Associated Press. “Ultimately, I wanted to be here and ended up being here. So I’m happy and ready to go.”
Part of eventually striking that big-time extension, which included $76 million in guarantees, came from Aiyuk being the “squeaky wheel” instead of settling for playing out the $14.1 million fifth-year option.
“A squeaky wheel has to be silent sometimes but know when to squeak,” he said. “Just that balance.”
Aiyuk’s importance to the Niners offense has never been in question. He’s the field-stretching weapon that helps balance Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. In 2023, he put up 1,342 yards on 75 catches with seven touchdowns. He might not have the counting numbers of some other highly paid wideouts, but his efficiency is unmatched.
The receiver reported for training camp in July, staging a hold-in -- joining meetings but not practicing. That decision made it awkward for all parties, especially as the season approached.
“It was tough,” he said. “That was probably the hardest part about the whole thing, just because, at that point, you’ve got the rest of the team involved. I’m here every single day. They’re suiting up, getting ready to go out to practice, and I’m not. So that was the hard part. But on that same tone, I was able to be in meetings, and be able to go through all the stuff that they got to go through, and kind of still be involved. ... So it was a little awkward, but I think it worked out how it needed to.”
It worked out with the Niners keeping their core together as they make another bid to end the 30-year streak without lifting a Lombardi Trophy.