49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have finalized a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

Sources indicate that the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have finalized a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

49ers and Brandon Aiyuk Finalize Major Contract Extension

The high-stakes contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have reached a pivotal resolution, concluding with a significant long-term commitment. On Thursday, the 49ers and Aiyuk finalized a four-year, $120 million extension, keeping him in San Francisco through the 2028 season. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news, revealing that the terms of the new deal closely mirror the initial offer made by the 49ers on August 12.

Key Terms of the Extension

The agreement includes $76 million guaranteed, with $47 million set to be paid to Aiyuk before April 1, 2025. This deal positions Aiyuk among the top earners in the NFL, placing him alongside Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill as the fifth-highest-paid receiver, with an impressive average annual value of $30 million per season.

Negotiation Tensions and Resolution

The extension follows a period of heightened tension. On Wednesday, the 49ers had publicly declared Aiyuk's health, with coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expressing their expectation for him to participate in practice. However, Aiyuk missed both Wednesday and Thursday practices, which raised concerns about potential team discipline.

Despite these issues, the new deal, finalized on Thursday, allows Aiyuk to focus on preparing for the season opener against the New York Jets on September 9.

Trade Requests and Negotiation Challenges

The road to this agreement was not without its hurdles. Nearly two years of negotiations were marked by skepticism, especially after Aiyuk requested a trade on July 23, just before the start of training camp. This request sparked serious trade discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots. For a trade to materialize, any interested team would need to meet both the 49ers' and Aiyuk's substantial contract demands. While these teams were capable of meeting one of the criteria, none could fulfill both, leading the Niners and Aiyuk back to the negotiating table.

Impact on the 49ers and Future Outlook

With Aiyuk secured, the 49ers not only retain their top receiver but also maintain a core offensive group alongside quarterback Brock Purdy for the next five years. In the 2023 season, Aiyuk had a standout year, leading the Niners with 1,342 receiving yards and ranking ninth in the NFL for receiving yards per game (83.9). He also ranked second in yards per reception (17.9) and first in yards per target (12.9), earning a second-team All-Pro selection.

His return allows the 49ers to potentially keep the same starting offensive lineup as last year, with Aiyuk joining forces with fellow wideouts Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings, while rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing continue to develop.

As the 49ers set their sights on securing their sixth Lombardi Trophy, Aiyuk's presence is a crucial component in their quest for NFL dominance.