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Eric Williams
NFL Reporter
After months of contentious negotiations that played out publicly on social media, several trade proposals and a three-week hold-in during training camp, Brandon Aiyuk reportedly accepted the deal the 49ers offered weeks ago.
But his reported four-year, $120 million contract extension with $76 million guaranteed is a pretty nice consolation prize nonetheless.
Aiyuk, the No. 25 overall selection of the 2020 draft, was entering the final year of his rookie deal, scheduled to make $14.1 million on his fifth-year option. Instead of trading him, the 49ers made Aiyuk one of the highest-paid receivers in the league and the highest-paid offensive player on the team. He is set to make $30 million annually.
Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is at the top of the receiver market, signing a four-year extension for $140 million with an average annual value of $35 million. Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb signed a deal earlier this week that averages $34 million a year. A.J. Brown averages $32 million a year, followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyreek Hill and now Aiyuk at $30 million.
Despite trade offers from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots that could have potentially paid him more money, Aiyuk and the 49ers decided the best way forward for everyone involved was for the explosive playmaker to stay on the roster as Brock Purdy’s No. 1 receiver. Purdy, 24, and Aiyuk, 26, are now part of San Francisco’s foundational pieces on offense moving forward.
Purdy posted a 124.0 QB rating last season when targeting Aiyuk, who finished with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards, seven touchdowns and a career-high 17.9 yards per catch, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
According to Next Gen Stats, Aiyuk also had a team-high 18 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns on third down last season. So, when Purdy and the 49ers needed a critical play on third down or…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/49ers-signing-brandon-aiyuk-long-term-deal-shows-super-bowl-window-still-open
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Publish date : 2024-08-30 00:25:06
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