Brandon Aiyuk stood gleefully at the pulpit at the San Francisco 49ers facility after agreeing to a lucrative contract extension to stay in the Bay Area.
Now, with it all done and the papers exchanged that gives him financial clarity heading into the 2024 NFL season, he acknowledged to reporters that he made things extremely difficult late in the negotiations.
“I'm not gonna lie, I made it a lot harder at the end than it needed to be,” Aiyuk said with a smile on Tuesday. NBC Sports Bay AreaThere's less than a week until the 49ers take on the New York Jets on “Monday Night Football.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) leaves the field after the NFL NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Bob Kupvens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I wouldn't say forever, but I'd say the past month or so has been pretty good.”
When a player requests a trade, things don't usually go “too well” between the player and the front office, but general manager John Lynch finally worked out a four-year, $120 million deal with Aiyuk's camp, with $45 million of that guaranteed.
49ers' Ricky Piersall shot during robbery attempt, to miss multiple games
But things didn't go well last week when Lynch told Aiyuk and head coach Kyle Shanahan he had to practice as the preseason schedule was wrapping up. Aiyuk was patient, but not without patience, but he reportedly didn't like when Lynch said, “You have to play.”
Things looked bleak as the regular season approached, but the 49ers and Aiyuk came together again.
San Francisco 49ers player Brandon Aiyuk (No. 11) looks on ahead of Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
When asked if he pays attention to the salaries of other receivers around the league, Aiyuk said his disagreement with the 49ers on the amount comes down to his view of his own value.
“I was just trying to make sure I got to the right place,” Aiyuk explained. “I was just trying to make sure everything was covered, and that both sides were on board.”
“Ultimately, I wanted to be in this position, standing here talking to you all, but every day is different. Every day is different in negotiations.” [I was] I followed my heart and myself every day and that's how I got to where I am today.”
He wanted to remain with the 49ers, and that's exactly what happened. Lynch also looked into All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams' contract to ensure he would continue to guard quarterback Brock Purdy's blind spot.
Brandon Aiyuk, wearing number 11 of the San Francisco 49ers, stands on the sideline before Super Bowl 55 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
So the reigning NFC champions will pay their star players, keep their roster intact and head into the 2024 season looking to get revenge on the NFC West powerhouse with the elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Follow Fox News Digital X's sports coverageSubscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
