It may have seemed like an eternity for the San Francisco 49ers and star WR Brandon Aiyuk to agree on a new contract, but it didn't take as long as it did a year ago with edge rusher Nick Bosa. It may have felt like it took longer because Bosa, much like LT Trent Williams this year, held out, while Aiyuk held in. That means Aiyuk showed up during training camp, to avoid being fined. This created more drama, with the media reporting anything Aiyuk did while watching practice.
Aiyuk and the 49ers agreed to a new deal on Thursday, making the All-Pro wideout one of the top-paid players at his position. Aiyuk's contract is a four-year deal, reportedly worth $120 million deal, with $76 million guaranteed. It's likely more than San Francisco wanted to pay, but in the end, they have QB Brock Purdy's favorite target signed for the foreseeable future.
While many are asking why it took so long to get a deal done, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was asked why the two sides finally came together. Fowler, appearing on ESPN's NFL Live, said he heard, quite simply, that Aiyuk wants to play.
"Aiyuk wanted to play in games," Fowler said. "He didn't want to sit out and hold out of that portion of it. And then he was comfortable with the contract. I was told the major win for him was getting the $47 million in guaranteed money in the first seven-plus months of the deal. So before April 1, he is due that cash. He considered that a victory, something he could hang his hat on and be comfortable with."
While Aiyuk's desire to play in games may have been part of it, it also helped that the wide receiver wanted to avoid being fined. Aiyuk showed up for training camp, though he didn't practice. Attending practices was enough to keep him from being fined, even though he did not take part in practice. Aiyuk reportedly did attend meetings, however.
Still, even though Aiyuk may have wanted to avoid the fines that would begin piling up once training camp and preseason were over, his desire to play the game he loves can't be overlooked. And his preference to stay in San Francisco shouldn't be ignored either. It was reported throughout the talks of Aiyuk potentially being traded, that he preferred to stay with the 49ers. And now he will get to do that.
But it did take longer than many believed it would. Why? What was the holdup? According to Fowler, it was Aiyuk's interest in other teams and his willingness to be traded.
"And really part of the issue of why this took so long is because Aiyuk was willing to be traded to two teams essentially,' Fowler added. "The Pittsburgh Steelers, who had the parameters of a deal already worked out with San Fan. San Fran didn't pull the trigger on that. And then Washington. He wanted to play with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. Washington never got heavily involved.
"So after that, it just became weeks of staring at each other, but finally it came to a point, with this weekend coming, it was time to check on the business and get it done."
ESPN's Mina Kimes added that the deal between the 49ers and Aiyuk was "the most logical resolution" because the team is a Super Bowl contender. Said Kimes, "It never made sense to me that they would move on from their number-one wide receiver this season. It also doesn't make sense because of what Brandon Aiyuk does for this offense.
"On third down, on throws over 20 yards, on throws outside the numbers, on throws that take over three seconds, he has led this Niners' group of skill players in yards per route run and target share. Essentially, when Brock Purdy needed Brandon Aiyuk, whether it's because of the situation or because of the level of difficulty of the play, or is extending, he has been his option. He is the reason why this 49ers offense not only stresses you in the run game but also compromises you vertically.
"It made no sense to me that they would move on from him. This was the most logical resolution, and I'm glad it's finally done. Mostly because we no longer have to talk about it."
We're tired of talking about it, too.
Watch the full Aiyuk discussion below: