Brandon Aiyuk: Contract details| Commanders| Contract| Steelers

Brandon Aiyuk: Contract Details, Commanders & Steelers Trade Rumors

Brandon Aiyuk, the electrifying wide receiver, has been a central figure in NFL contract discussions over the past couple of seasons. With a contract extension in place, trade speculation — notably involving the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers — continues to swirl. In this article, we’ll explore the full breakdown of his deal, the promise (and pitfalls) of potential trades, and what the future may hold for Aiyuk.

1. Who Is Brandon Aiyuk?

Brandon Aiyuk was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (25th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he has established himself as one of the top receivers in the league, known for his route-running, contested catches, and ability to generate big plays. By 2023, Aiyuk had become a key piece of the 49ers’ offense, delivering 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in a standout season.

2. The Contract Extension: Key Terms

In August 2024, Aiyuk and the 49ers reached an agreement on a four-year, $120 million contract extension. Here are the critical details:

• Total Value: $120 million over 4 years.

• Average Annual Value (AAV): $30 million per season, tying him with Tyreek Hill as one of the top-paid receivers.

• Guaranteed Money: $76 million guaranteed.

• Signing Bonus / Early Cash: Reports say that $47 million will be paid by April 1, 2025.

• Other Bonuses:

  • Option Bonus (2025): $22.855 million

  • Option Bonus (2026): $24.935 million (though there is controversy, as discussed below)

  • Workout Bonuses: $100,000 scheduled for each year from 2025–2028.

  • Per-Game Active Bonuses: Can earn up to $750,000 over the course of a season via roster bonuses.

3. Cap Implications and Structure

From the 49ers’ perspective, the contract is front-loaded, meaning Aiyuk gets a significant chunk of his money early. This helps him financially and ensures that some guarantees vest quickly, but it also places some risk on the team if things go south later.

Analysts studying salary cap models noted that while Aiyuk’s deal is very favorable to him, it’s not wildly outside market expectations for top-tier wide receivers.

4. Contention & Contract Drama

The road to Aiyuk’s extension wasn’t smooth:

• He requested a trade from the 49ers in July 2024 amid prolonged contract negotiations.

• During training camp, he staged a “hold-in”, refusing to fully participate in practice.

• Multiple teams expressed interest — including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots — but no trade materialized in the end.

• Ultimately, he accepted the same deal that had been on the table for weeks, according to reports.

5. Questionable Guarantees: 2026 Option Bonus Voided

In a surprising turn, the 49ers voided the 2026 guaranteed money tied to his $24.935 million option bonus. This move raised eyebrows:

• The bonus was initially guaranteed for injury at signing, with full guarantees scheduled for April 1, 2025.

• But after Aiyuk’s injury — he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus — the team allegedly voided those guarantees because certain contractual conditions were not met.

• This restructuring gives the 49ers more flexibility: if Aiyuk’s injuries or performance remain a concern, they have a clearer exit path.

This move underscores the risk-reward balance in NFL contracts: big deals are possible, but guarantees can be structured in ways that protect teams from long-term liabilities.

6. Trade Rumors: Commanders & Steelers

Given Aiyuk’s talent and his contract demands, trade rumors have linked him to several teams — most notably:

Pittsburgh Steelers

• The Steelers reportedly showed strong interest in Aiyuk during 2024’s trade cycle.

• According to reports, they were willing to negotiate a long-term contract offer if a deal could be struck.

• However, no deal came to fruition, in part because the 49ers were unwilling to part ways for the right compensation, and Aiyuk ultimately decided to sign the extension.

Washington Commanders

• There were occasional whispers of the Commanders being interested in Aiyuk, especially given their desire to bolster their receiving corps.

• However, no serious trade materialized.

• At the same time, it’s worth noting the Commanders did acquire Deebo Samuel from the 49ers in 2025 — another wide receiver — which may have reduced the likelihood of a deal for Aiyuk.

Analysis of Trade Dynamics

• Financial Risk: Trading for Aiyuk would require a team not only to pay trade compensation but also to meet his contract demands, including guarantees.

• Injury Concerns: His severe knee injury raised doubts; acquiring a player on a big contract with health risk is always a gamble.

• Cap Strategy: Some teams may have balked at the structure of his extension — especially with the large upfront payment and potential dead cap.

Ultimately, Aiyuk stayed with the 49ers, and the trade talk subsided — at least for now.

7. Injury and Future Outlook

One of the biggest turning points in Aiyuk’s recent career has been injury:

• In the 2024 season, he suffered a major knee injury (ACL, MCL, meniscus) that sidelined him.

• As of the latest reports, the 49ers had concerns and apparently voided part of his 2026 guarantee because he wasn’t meeting certain conditions.

• His recovery trajectory will be key: if he fully recovers and returns to peak form, he could justify his contract and command further value. But if health issues linger, the 49ers may have leveraged the contract structure to limit downside risk.

8. Why Did Aiyuk Stay in San Francisco?

Given the trade rumors, why did Aiyuk sign the extension instead of forcing a move?

1. Security: The $76 million guaranteed made the deal very attractive, especially given injury risk.

2. Leverage: By holding out and requesting a trade, Aiyuk likely increased his leverage, pushing the 49ers to offer a generous package.

3. Market Comparison: His $30 million average per year ranks among the top receivers in the NFL, making it a point worth securing.

4. Unrealized Trade Value: While teams like the Steelers showed interest, none were willing (or able) to match both the cash and pick compensation the 49ers demanded.

9. Implications for the 49ers

For the San Francisco 49ers, Aiyuk’s contract is double-edged:

• Upside: They lock in a talented receiver during his prime years. If he stays healthy and productive, this could pay off in a big way.

• Risk: The voided guarantees for 2026 show they hedged their bets — if things go wrong, they have a path to mitigate financial damage.

• Cap Strategy: By front-loading cash and bonuses, they balance Aiyuk’s compensation with roster flexibility in later years.

10. Outlook & Potential Scenarios

Given the details, here are some possible future scenarios for Aiyuk:

• Full Recovery & Peak Play: If Aiyuk returns fully healthy, he could produce at a high level, elevating the 49ers’ offense and justifying the deal.

• Moderate Performance + Role Flexibility: He may not return to his absolute best, but still contribute as a very good WR; 49ers might lean on other pass-catchers.

• Injury-Driven Decline: Continued injury issues could make later years of the deal challenging, especially given the voided guarantees.

• Trade Down the Line: Depending on his performance and health, the 49ers might revisit trade options, especially if a team is willing to absorb his deal or take a risk.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Is Brandon Aiyuk currently a Washington Commander or a Steeler?
A1: No. Despite trade rumors involving both the Commanders and Steelers, Aiyuk signed a four-year extension with the San Francisco 49ers in August 2024.

Q2: How much is Brandon Aiyuk making per year?
A2: His contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $30 million per season.

Q3: How much of his contract is guaranteed?
A3: Approximately $76 million of his contract is guaranteed.

Q4: Did the 49ers void any part of his guarantees?
A4: Yes. Reports indicate that the 2026 option bonus (worth $24.935 million) was voided because he did not meet certain contractual conditions.

Q5: Why were the Steelers interested in Aiyuk?
A5: The Steelers reportedly saw him as a game-changing receiver and were prepared to negotiate a long-term deal, but the 49ers never reached a trade agreement that satisfied both sides.

Q6: What role did injury play in his contract situation?
A6: A major injury (ACL, MCL, meniscus) factored heavily — not just in trade dynamics, but also in the voiding of certain guarantees.

Q7: Could he be traded in the future?
A7: Potentially yes. While he stayed with the 49ers after signing, future trades remain possible, especially depending on his performance, health, and how the contract plays out.

Conclusion

Brandon Aiyuk’s contract saga paints a vivid picture of modern NFL contract strategy: elite talent demands, guaranteed money weighed against performance risk, and trade leverage leveraged by both player and team. While rumors linked him to the Commanders and Steelers, he ultimately chose financial security in San Francisco — though the 49ers structured the deal carefully to protect themselves if things go awry.

As he recovers from injury and works toward his next peak, both Aiyuk and the 49ers have a lot riding on the coming years. If he stays healthy, this could be a win-win. If not, the voided guarantees may serve as a safety net for the team.