Aiyuk sought an extension long before requesting a trade in July. Speculation about the trade initially ramped up during the 2024 NFL Draft, centering on Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. The 49ers drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, but no trade materialized, and Lynch tried to quell further speculation. That all changed with stalled negotiations, and at one point it seemed like Aiyuk would be more likely to leave the Bay.

Instead, he stays where he is and head coach Kyle Shanahan is undoubtedly happier to have his star receiver back.

Aiyuk is an elite wideout in his prime, as he’s coming off a season in which he posted a career-high 1,342 receiving yards to go along with 75 receptions and seven touchdowns. It was his second straight 1,000-yard campaign, and while he was seen as struggling in his first two seasons, Aiyuk has had at least 55 catches, 745 yards and five TDs in each of his four years.

Training camp contract drama is nothing new for the 49ers, who have dealt with it for three straight years after Samuel requested a trade in 2022 and Nick Bosa opted out in 2023. Both were resolved with extensions, and they remain crucial cogs in the perennial Super Bowl contenders — just like Aiyuk is now. The hysteria isn’t over yet, however, as offensive tackle Trent Williams remains a no-go.

But the stalemate with Aiyuk is over. He is no longer sitting on the docks of The Bay waiting to be paid, he has his new deal.