The Brandon Aiyuk saga in San Francisco has finally reached a resolution.
The 49ers and Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120-million contract extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday.
Aiyuk, a second-team All-Pro last season, had been staying off the field during training camp as he looked for a contract extension. The 26-year-old receiver was entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Aiyuk skipped a second straight day of practice earlier Thursday after being cleared by 49ers doctors to participate as part of his long-running contract dispute.
There were also multiple reports that Aiyuk had requested a trade from the 49ers after contract talks had reportedly stalled. But it appears the two sides were able to finally reach a resolution.
Aiyuk recorded a career-high 1,375 yards on 75 catches last season with seven touchdowns to earn the second-team All-Pro honours.
According to Schefter, Aiyuk’s $120 million extension had been on the table since Aug. 10.
He was a key piece in a prolific 49ers offence last season and helped lead the team to an NFC Championship and a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. The 49ers were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers are also still without All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who is holding out as he seeks an improved contract. That left the Niners without two of their most important players just 11 days before the opener.
The 36-year-old Williams is owed $20.05 million this season under the six-year, $138.1 million deal he signed in 2021.
Williams’ average annual value of just over $23 million has been surpassed by five offensive linemen since he became the richest player at the position when he signed the deal with Tristan Wirfs, Penei Sewell and Christian Darrisaw all getting deals this off-season worth at least $26 million a year.
The 49ers open their quest for another NFC Championship in the season’s first edition of Monday Night Football against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sept. 9.
— With files from The Associated Press
