After a months-long saga, Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers find each other after all. It’s the best solution for everyone involved. One comment.

A few days after CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, the second receiver saga in the NFL is also off the table.

After months of back and forth, Brandon Aiyuk signed a new four-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers until the end of the 2028 season; the 26-year-old can earn up to 120 million dollars in total.

With an average salary of 30 million dollars, he is a good deal short of the highest-paid receiver Justin Jefferson, who receives five million dollars more per year. Nevertheless, it was the right decision to accept the offer.

With the 49ers, Aiyuk can continue to work with perhaps the best playcaller in the entire NFL. Kyle Shanahan has brought success to San Francisco, and under his leadership the franchise is a hot title contender every year.

Aiyuk plays a central role, he is the clear number one among the classic receivers in the squad, but does not have to carry the team alone with other weapons such as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel or George Kittle

This distinguishes him from players such as Jefferson with the Minnesota Vikings or Lamb with the Cowboys, without whom their respective teams would be toothless offensively. Aiyuk is a top player, but not completely irreplaceable. In this respect, the salary is set appropriately

49ers stronger with Aiyuk than without him

According to “ESPN”, the receiver has now signed the offer that he has reportedly had for almost three weeks. This suggests that Aiyuk wanted to explore his options, but he didn’t get a better package anywhere.

In sporting terms, he could hardly have improved anyway. The Pittsburgh Steelers, long rumored to be a possible trade candidate for Aiyuk, are not yet ready to dream of a possible Super Bowl.

But the 49ers should also be happy that Aiyuk is staying with the team long-term. The fact that he’s theoretically easier to replace than other stars in the league doesn’t make it a simple act. The 49ers are stronger with Aiyuk than without him.

Quarterback Brock Purdy and his center have built a certain chemistry that another receiver would have to find. Aiyuk knows the system and the playbook and he’s simply one of the best players at his position.

Unrest cleared out of the way

You don’t find quality like that on every corner. Especially since Aiyuk is not yet at the end of his development; since his rookie season in 2020, he has collected more passing yards each year than in the respective previous season.

The agreement shortly before the start of the season also removes disruptive unrest, which no team can use. The focus can now turn to the common goal of targeting the Super Bowl.

The chances of reaching the final again increased significantly on Friday