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Brandon Aiyuk is remaining in Santa Clara after all. On Thursday, the All-Pro wide receiver re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers for four years and $120 million after a long saga that involved a holdout and trade demand. The new contract includes a $76-million guarantee.
Fans rejoiced at the development:
"About damn time."
More of the happiness can be seen below:
"NINERS ALL THE WAY," one declared.
"Our national nightmare is finally over. Don’t have to hear about it again," another sighed.
"YESSS!!! Bring on Monday night," another cheered.
With Aiyuk's future secured, the 49ers are now expected to shift their attention to offensive tackle Trent Williams, who has been holding out in search of a new contract.
Biggest winners, losers from Brandon Aiyuk's 49ers extension
The biggest winner of the Brandon Aiyuk deal is Aiyuk himself. He gets the long-term deal he wanted, even if it is not as lucrative as the ones that CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson have.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are also winners of this deal. Even if Aiyuk had left, they would still have had a very strong roster that boasts the likes of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. But having their most prolific receiver from last season will only help their chances further.
The biggest losers, meanwhile, are the Pittsburgh Steelers. When Aiyuk first made his trade demand, they were initially seen as a heavy favorite to land him, given the lack of depth beside George Pickens after Diontae Johnson left for the Carolina Panthers via trade.
The Washington Commanders can be considered losers in hindsight. Trading Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles leaves them with less depth besides Terry McLaurin, and acquiring Aiyuk would have given rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former Arizona State teammate of one year, another credible weapon to feed.
Jauan Jennings can also be considered a loser in this situation. Had Aiyuk left, he would have been promoted to WR2, given his Super Bowl LVIII heroics.
Instead, almost seven months later, he is looking at the risk of being cut at the end of this season despite an inexpensive two-year contract, with rookie Ricky Pearsall looming on the depth chart.
