It was a long and eventful offseason for the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk, who sought to remain with the team but also wanted to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. Ultimately, Aiyuk achieved both goals, securing a four-year, $120 million contract extension while staying with the 49ers.
For the team, keeping one of their rising stars, who has yet to reach his full potential, was a significant win. However, the negotiation process was anything but smooth. It was tense at times, with some 49ers insiders questioning whether Aiyuk would stay with the team that drafted him 25th overall in 2020.
At one point, a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers seemed like a genuine possibility. Reports even indicated that a deal nearly happened before Aiyuk agreed to sign the 49ers' offer.
Aiyuk recently appeared on teammate Deebo Samuel's new Bleacher Report show, "Cleats & Convos," where he shared what ultimately motivated him to stay with the 49ers.
"Just being with my people, the people that I know, the people that I've been around for the past four years, the people that I've got to see have kids, got to see their kids grow up a little bit," Aiyuk explained. "They got to see me have kids, see my kids grow up a little bit. So really, just staying with the family, staying with the family."
When asked if the 49ers feel like home, Aiyuk responded confidently, "For sure. For sure."
The prolonged negotiation took its toll on some fans, who mounted frustrations over the standoff. Aiyuk understood their feelings but acknowledged that the business side of football can sometimes complicate things.
"That's what makes it fun, makes football what it is," Aiyuk said, referring to the passionate fan reactions. "That's what gives us a bunch of conversation up here. So that's just part of it."
Samuel, who experienced his own contract negotiation a couple of years ago, always believed Aiyuk would stay with the team. He avoided asking too many questions during the process, knowing firsthand how stressful it can be.
Samuel noted that he witnessed Aiyuk's varying moods during the contract standoff with the 49ers, acknowledging, "You have all types of mood swings when you're going through the negotiations. ... You get through it when it's over."
