Brandon Aiyuk

The San Francisco 49ers "checked in" with the Minnesota Vikings about a possible trade for wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

At the time, it looked like the Niners might need a new No. 1 wideout with Brandon Aiyuk pushing for a new contract. Jefferson not only stayed in Minnesota, but Aiyuk also penned a four-year extension with San Francisco.

Schefter reported the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts "had some level of interest" in Jefferson, only for the Vikings to shut the discussions down.

As with Aiyuk, there was a lot of contractual intrigue surrounding Jefferson that at least made a trade theoretically possible this summer. Minnesota put the matter to bed when it signed him to a new deal worth $140 million in total.

It made the 25-year-old the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He told reporters during training camp that his injury-riddled 2023 campaign affected how he's approaching this year.

"I'm so scared for it to happen again that I've been overly cautious about it," Jefferson said, "just trying to take care of my body in the right way, just trying to find new things that I can implement in my day-to-day life that can better help me throughout the season. I've definitely been working on my hamstrings a little bit more, making sure that I'm injury-proof."

A right hamstring injury limited Jefferson to 10 games in 2023. During an episode of Netflix's reality series Receiver, it was revealed that he was dealing with a "high grade" strain that typically required a recovery time of eight to 10 weeks.

Despite the injury, Jefferson still finished the year with 68 catches for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns, his fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign. He now owns the NFL record for the most receiving yards through a player's first four years in the league at 5,899.

Minnesota looks a little different this year following the departure of longtime quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent following six seasons with the Vikings. The team signed veteran backup Sam Darnold and drafted former Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in April. Darnold was named the starter after McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery for a torn meniscus.

Jefferson's presence on the field is even more important, as Darnold needs as much talent around him as he can get. The Vikings will need the star wideout to stay healthy if they hope to make it back to the playoffs.

The San Francisco 49ers were reportedly interested in Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers on the trade market before giving Brandon Aiyuk a contract extension.

The 49ers contacted the Raiders regarding a trade for Meyers and were "rebuffed" by Las Vegas, according to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle.

After holding in throughout training camp as he searched for a new contract, Aiyuk eventually signed a four-year extension worth $120 million on Aug. 29.

The 26-year-old's future in San Francisco was murky before he signed a long-term deal, as the 49ers were open to moving him. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Sept. 2 that the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly acquired Aiyuk in a trade, although the Steelers were wary about offering him a new contract.

Meyers has remained a consistent contributor for the Raiders and New England Patriots in recent years, surpassing 800 receiving yards in each of the past three seasons. He hauled in 71 receptions for 807 yards to go along with a career-high eight touchdowns during his 2023 campaign.

Jakobi Meyers wrapping up the season with a 2-TD game

📺: #DENvsLV on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/nnXEpMvjT5

— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024

Meyers would have also been a cheaper alternative to Aiyuk, as he signed a three-year contract worth $33 million with Las Vegas in March 2023.

However, the potential acquisition of Meyers would have represented a downgrade from Aiyuk. The former first-round pick is coming off a breakout season, racking up 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while helping the 49ers earn a Super Bowl appearance.

Aiyuk didn't get off to a hot start to the 2024 season, recording just 28 yards on two catches during San Francisco's season-opening 32-19 win over the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Meyers caught three passes for 61 yards in the Raiders' Week 1 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Aiyuk will look to get back on track in the 49ers' upcoming matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk didn't jump at the opportunity to watch the film of his team's 32-19 victory over the New York Jets on Monday after struggling from an individual perspective.

"I didn't watch the film until this morning," he said Wednesday while revealing he didn't feel exactly right, per David Lombardi of The Athletic. "I was a little scared to watch it, but not as bad as I thought."

Aiyuk finished with two catches for 28 yards and dropped what would have been an impressive touchdown catch that he surely felt was a play he could make:

Brandon Aiyuk dropped what would’ve been a TD 😬

He has 14 YDS at the half pic.twitter.com/r2AILXAIS1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 10, 2024

Going into the game, San Francisco figured to need significant production from him since Christian McCaffrey was sidelined by a calf and Achilles injury. However, Deebo Samuel (54 receiving yards, 23 rushing yards and one touchdown) and Jordan Mason (28 carries for 147 yards and one touchdown) made sure the home team didn't miss the star running back too much.

Aiyuk was going to be under the spotlight in Week 1 after he held out for much of training camp and finally landed a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

He looked rusty for extended stretches of the contest against the Jets, which isn't surprising in hindsight given the amount of time he missed in the offseason leading up to the campaign.

Yet his track record speaks for itself after surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, and he will look to resemble his typical form in Week 2 when the 49ers hit the road to face the Minnesota Vikings.

There was a ton of speculation that the San Francisco 49ers were close to trading star receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers before he ultimately signed a contract extension. Now there's an official confirmation that the speculation was accurate.

While speaking to reporters following Monday night's 32-19 win over the New York Jets, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked whether a report from Fox Sports' Jay Glazer regarding Aiyuk nearly being traded was true and he responded, "Most of it, yeah."

Glazer reported on Sunday that Shanahan and Aiyuk had a meeting that made Shanahan realize that the disgruntled wideout wanted to remain in San Francisco. Shanahan attempted to put an end to the trade discussions, but reportedly couldn't get through to the front office because they were already on the phone with Pittsburgh.

"So Shanahan actually ran all the way upstairs, said, 'Hold this. Put a hold on these trade talks right now. Pittsburgh, we'll call you right back,'" Glazer explained. "They went down and talked to Aiyuk for about two hours. They said, 'Look, you have until the end of practice. We're either trading you to Pittsburgh today or you could take the deal that's been on the table. It's up to you, but you have until the end of practice."

This story is WILD. 🤯

According to @JayGlazer, Brandon Aiyuk called off a trade to the Steelers in the eleventh hour to stay with the 49ers!

Kyle Shanahan told Aiyuk that he had to make a decision by the end of practice on the day the deal got done. Aiyuk chose to stay in San… pic.twitter.com/CAXBHXLOEO

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024

Shanahan was asked further about the details of Glazer's report, and he provided his perspective.

"It was that I wanted to make sure he wasn't traded already. But no, that's how I kind of reported you guys throughout the whole time," Shanahan said. "You guys would ask me stuff about it, and I say, 'Anything could happen.' There were reports that we almost traded with some teams, and then we didn't. Some were true, some weren't, but all options were open."

After a hold-in that saw him refuse to participate in practice during training camp, Aiyuk ended up agreeing to a four-year, $120 million extension with $76 million guaranteed that will keep him in San Francisco through the 2028 season.

"It was a tough thing to kind of get to the final spot of it on both sides," Shanahan said. "And when it was all said and done, I'm glad that we had the patience. I'm glad that it worked out the way it did because I love having B.A. here."

Aiyuk recorded two catches for 28 yards in Monday's win against the Jets. He will try to have a better showing when the 49ers visit the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.

Brandon Aiyuk didn't start the 2024 season on a high note.

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver struggled during the team's 32-19 victory over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, hauling in two receptions for 28 yards on five targets.

With the 49ers leading 13-7 and attempting to score just before halftime, Brock Purdy threw a pass to Aiyuk in the corner of the end zone. The ball hit the 26-year-old's hands, although he was unable to come down with it and San Francisco settled for a field goal.

Aiyuk dropped two passes in the first half after recording just two drops throughout his entire 2023 campaign.

Fans were disappointed with his performance after he signed a massive four-year, $120 million contract extension on Aug. 29.

Brandon Aiyuk dropped what would’ve been a TD 😬

He has 14 YDS at the half pic.twitter.com/r2AILXAIS1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 10, 2024

That's two drops tonight. Little rusty

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 10, 2024

Get paid, make the catches you're supposed to. Pretty simple.

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 10, 2024

Brandon Aiyuk since getting paid: pic.twitter.com/KNtSQRSpSh

— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) September 10, 2024

Aiyuk getting all that money to drop touchdowns?

— nicky einess (@einess_nicky) September 10, 2024

Man, Purdy threw an unbelievable pass to Aiyuk. Absolute dime.

Whether he's making $500,000 or $30 mil, Aiyuk has to catch that.

— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) September 10, 2024

The 49ers are going to have to hope Brandon Aiyuk plays himself into shape, because he clearly isn't in top form right now. As evidenced by what we've seen so far tonight, they have the firepower to cover for him while that happens

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 10, 2024

Brandon Aiyuk after signing for $120 million pic.twitter.com/6Pg0tMB6Uo

— Chuck Goldberg (@chuckgoldberg) September 10, 2024

Brandon Aiyuk has dropped the two best passes of Purdy's career.

— 49ers Jack (@TheJuiceTDGuy) September 10, 2024

Aiyuk was holding in for a new contract throughout San Francisco's training camp, giving him less time to get on the same page with Purdy ahead of the team's season-opener.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters earlier in the week that the wide receiver would likely see a slightly reduced number of snaps against the Jets with his extension situation recently resolved (via ESPN's Nick Wagoner).

Aiyuk will look to find some consistency in San Francisco's Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

The San Francisco 49ers reportedly told star wideout Brandon Aiyuk in August, while he was holding in during extension negotiations, that he had a five-day window to report back to practice or he wouldn't be eligible for the 2024 season.

"Did you know he got the five-day letter in the middle of August that he had to practice or he wouldn't be able to play this year?" ESPN's Adam Schefter said of Aiyuk during a Monday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. "Yeah, he did. You get a five-day letter. It means you better get back to practice or the team has the right to place you on the list and you lose the year. That happened too."

"Brandon Aiyuk looked good in practice last week for the 49ers..

He got the five day letter in the middle of August that he had to practice or he wouldn't be able to play this year..

The team can place you on the list and you lose the entire year" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/LGoqcAL9aL

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 9, 2024

Aiyuk had been able to avoid the $40,000 fines he would have otherwise faced for not practicing throughout training camp because he was dealing with back and neck soreness. But once the Niners made their final roster cuts down to 53 players and Aiyuk was medically cleared, the team had the right to impose fines or suspensions for missed time.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner broke that down in further detail:

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, once the league switches out of training camp and into regular-season mode, teams can begin fining players for 'unexcused missed activities,' which would include walk-throughs, curfews, practices and meetings. Those fines can reach up to $16,009 for each activity missed, with a maximum total fine for a single day of $45,769 if a player misses multiple events on the schedule. From there, teams also have the ability to suspend players for conduct detrimental to the team.

The CBA allows teams to suspend players for conduct detrimental to the team for up to four weeks, alongside fining such a player up to a week's salary. The CBA additionally notes that a club cannot impose either fines or suspensions for conduct detrimental to the team until a player reaches a fourth violation in a given category.

It was ultimately a moot point once Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension on Aug. 29. But even that agreement came down to the wire, as the Niners reportedly told the star wideout he could either take their final offer or be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Jay Glazer reported for Fox Sports on Sunday:

This story is WILD. 🤯

According to @JayGlazer, Brandon Aiyuk called off a trade to the Steelers in the eleventh hour to stay with the 49ers!

Kyle Shanahan told Aiyuk that he had to make a decision by the end of practice on the day the deal got done. Aiyuk chose to stay in San… pic.twitter.com/CAXBHXLOEO

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024

All's well that ends well. Aiyuk got his new deal, returned to practice and is expected to play in Monday night's matchup against the New York Jets, albeit in what is expected to be a slightly reduced role.

"Don't know [how much he will play] yet," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters over the weekend. "He plays most of the game usually. Probably be surprised that same amount, but he's in good shape. He's had a really good week. His soreness hasn't been too big. After each practice he's pushed it real hard, do some stuff extra after and he looks good and he's ready to go."

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was reportedly very close to becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler, to the point where head coach Kyle Shanahan gave him an ultimatum that the star had to decide upon by the end of a day's practice.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported on the matter Sunday morning, saying that the 49ers were on the phone with the Steelers on a trade before Aiyuk showed up the facility, Shanahan issued the ultimatum and changes of heart were made.

This story is WILD. 🤯

According to @JayGlazer, Brandon Aiyuk called off a trade to the Steelers in the eleventh hour to stay with the 49ers!

Kyle Shanahan told Aiyuk that he had to make a decision by the end of practice on the day the deal got done. Aiyuk chose to stay in San… pic.twitter.com/CAXBHXLOEO

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024

Aiyuk, who was a contract hold-in this summer while entering the final season of a rookie deal, agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension to stick in town.

Aiyuk agreed to the deal on Aug. 29. In a conversation with reporters this week, Aiyuk admitted that getting to the finish line was a little harder than it had to be.

"I'm not going to lie, I made it a little bit more difficult than I needed to at the end," Aiyuk said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

He also added, per The Associated Press. "I just had a feel for what I wanted, not just in terms of money, but in all those things. Ultimately, I wanted to be here and ended up being here. So I'm happy and ready to go."

Aiyuk was nothing short of spectacular in 2023, amassing 1,342 yards on 75 catches to go along with seven touchdowns. He was an invaluable member of an offense that finished third in scoring and ultimately helped guide the 49ers to an NFC title.

Now he's back in the mix long-term as the 49ers get ready for their season opener. Their Week 1 matchup will be a Monday Night Football matchup that sees the New York Jets come to town.

The San Francisco 49ers have Brandon Aiyuk back but that doesn't mean he is going to play a full allotment of snaps right away.

The franchise extended the All-Pro wide receiver on Aug. 29 after he staged a hold-in during training camp. While the situation is resolved, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that he would be "surprised" if Aiyuk had a "typical workload."

Kyle Shanahan said he would be "surprised" if WR Brandon Aiyuk has his typical workload vs. Jets, but noted he's in good shape. #49ers

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) September 7, 2024

The 49ers open the 2024 season on Monday against the New York Jets. Aiyuk missed the entirety of the preseason while waiting for his four-year, $120 million deal.

While Aiyuk may need to shake off some rust, his 2023 production shows exactly what he is capable of in the potent San Francisco offense.

Aiyuk made 105 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, helping San Francisco go 12-5 and earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He added nine catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in the postseason, which was his strongest playoff production of his career.

If he needs a few weeks to reach peak form, the 49ers certainly have the weapons to get by. Brock Purdy will have players like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey to utilize until Aiyuk is ready to wreak havoc.

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk says he "ultimately" wanted to stay with the San Francisco 49ers after signing a four-year, $120 million extension following his summer-long hold-in.

"Ultimately, I wanted to be here," Aiyuk said Tuesday (h/t ESPN's Nick Wagoner.)

The 49ers resumed talks with Aiyuk in early August, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, almost one month before the wide receiver agreed to his new deal.

"I'm not gonna lie, I made it a little more difficult than I needed to at the end," Aiyuk said Tuesday (h/t the Bay Area's 95.7 The Game.)

“I’m not gonna lie. I made it a little more difficult than it needed to be at the end.”

Brandon Aiyuk on contract negotiations 😂 pic.twitter.com/yxLf5wFHIu

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) September 3, 2024

Aiyuk will earn an average annual salary of $30 million per year, which ties him for the fifth highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said the contract matched what the 49ers had offered him since Aug. 12, although Aiyuk's agent Ryan Williams disputed his report.

Schefter initially reported in July, one week before veteran players were due to report to training camp, that Aiyuk had requested a trade away from the 49ers.

Despite that request, Aiyuk's statement that he "ultimately" wanted to be in San Francisco matches a report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who reported on Monday that the wide receiver "wanted to remain in San Francisco all along."

"Aiyuk never wanted to leave San Francisco," Breer wrote. "He knows how hard it is to win a Super Bowl. He's been to the NFC title game three times in four years. The 49ers' offers were competitive, despite tax-heavy California. He's also a West Coast kid who grew up in the state, and went to college in Arizona."

Breer added that the "only reason" Aiyuk thought about a potential trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team Garafolo previously described as Aiyuk's "preferred destination," was because he had previously developed a relationship with head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers then offered Aiyuk an annual average value $2.3 million below the proposal extended by the 49ers, per Breer, which likely contributed to his decision to remain in San Francisco instead.

Aiyuk is set to practice with the 49ers on Tuesday for the first time since the 2023 season, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. After recording a career-high 1,342 passing yards last year, he could resume his role as a top target for quarterback Brock Purdy when the regular season kicks off next Monday at home against the New York Jets.

Before the San Francisco 49ers and star receiver Brandon Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension last week, there reportedly was a legitimate chance of him ending up with an AFC contender.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Pittsburgh Steelers "came closest to acquiring Aiyuk" while he was holding out for a new contract. Breer noted that the Steelers "refused to give up a current player, but were willing to part with second- and third-round picks." However, they didn't want to break the bank with a new contract for Aiyuk.

"The interesting thing is the money wasn't as good with the Steelers, who didn't want to go past what T.J. Watt makes ($28 million APY) and as such offered Aiyuk $27.7 million APY," Breer stated.

Aiyuk attended training camp but didn't practice while holding out for a new deal. The 49ers were open to trade offers for him but knew they would need a reliable replacement on the outside. Breer added that they "made calls to about a dozen teams to see if they could flip the third-rounder somewhere else to land a veteran receiver to replace Aiyuk in the lineup."

Instead, Aiyuk tied Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill as the fifth-highest-paid receiver in the NFL with an average of $30 million per year. Breer noted that there were indications that the 26-year-old "never wanted to leave San Francisco."

Aiyuk enjoyed a breakout year last season in which he earned second-team All-Pro honors after recording 75 catches for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Keeping him in the fold gives 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy a reliable target who can be the focal point of the team's passing attack.

Aiyuk and the reigning NFC champion can now focus on gearing up to open the season on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.