The hold-in came to a close with a momentous cash-out that sent shockwaves through the San Francisco 49ers organization. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk put pen to paper on a lucrative new contract, cementing his future with the team for years to come. The deal, a four-year extension worth $30 million per year in new money, brings the total contract value to $134.1 million over five years, with $90 million guaranteed in the first three years.
The announcement of Aiyuk’s new contract was made on a Friday afternoon, with General Manager John Lynch expressing his excitement about the deal. “We were thrilled to draft Brandon in 2020 and are now equally excited to have him in the fold for years to come,” Lynch said in a statement. “Brandon is a special talent who is a warrior on the field and plays with a passion that we look for in 49ers. We look forward to Brandon continuing to be part of what we strive to accomplish as an organization.”
Aiyuk, a first-round pick in 2020, quickly rose to prominence in his fourth season, earning second-team All-Pro honors with an impressive average of 12.78 yards per target. His new contract solidifies his position as the de facto WR1 in San Francisco, raising questions about the future of fellow receiver Deebo Samuel.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Samuel, the 49ers’ core remains intact, provided that tackle Trent Williams remains with the team. Rumors have circulated that the 49ers will now shift their focus to negotiating a new contract with Williams, prompting some to question why the team couldn’t handle both negotiations simultaneously.
As the dust settles on Aiyuk’s lucrative new deal, the 49ers are setting their sights on maintaining a strong foundation for future success. With Aiyuk locked in for the long term, and potential negotiations with Williams on the horizon, the 49ers are poised to continue their quest for NFL glory.
