The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk agreed to a contract extension that will keep the All-Pro in the Bay Area through the 2028 season.
There were discussions about whether Aiyuk was worth the headache of a preseason-long negotiation, and whether he was worth to the 49ers the $30 million or so per year it would take to keep him with San Francisco.
Aiyuk was the team’s leading receiver last year and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. His Second-Team All-Pro nod in 2023 was his first, but all signs pointed toward him being an ascending player in the NFL. However, his ball production isn’t the only value he provides the 49ers.
NFL Media’s Brian Baldinger posted a video on Twitter (currently X) that highlights various ways Aiyuk had a positive impact on the 49ers in the Super Bowl:
.@49ers @THE2ERA watch Aiyuk without the ball; the attention he receives; and the windows that open up for his teammates. Congrats on the extension. Purdy & Aiyuk for the longterm #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Q6PqlohJF9
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 30, 2024
These impacts aren’t exclusive to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Aiyuk’s run-blocking and how he warps coverages are keys for how the 49ers’ entire offense runs.
Removing Aiyuk and his ability to get open in all areas of the field fundamentally changes how defenses would be able to cover San Francisco’s passing game. It would also change how the 49ers run game works because Aiyuk’s threat as a receiver combined with his ability to clear out running lanes as a blocker maximizes head coach Kyle Shanahan’s options with play calling.
It was hard to envision the 49ers getting better in 2024 without Aiyuk in large part because of how much he impacts their offense without even having the ball in his hands. The good news for San Francisco is they won’t have to worry about it now with Aiyuk locked in through 2028.