The Brandon Aiyuk contract drama dominated headlines all summer. He very publicly demanded a trade at one point, and the big question was where he’d be heading rather than if he’d be leaving.
It turns out that was all for naught.
He’s staying in the Bay.
Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract extension to remain a 49er according to numerous reports. It’s the second major deal this week agreed to by a premiere wide receiver who’d been holding out as CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys worked out a four-year, $136 million contract.
The 49ers offense is absolutely loaded, but it wouldn’t be the same without Aiyuk. The wideout caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games, averaging a gaudy 17.9 yards per catch.
So, what does his being back in the fold mean for the 49ers odds?
Actually it didn’t move the needle all that much as San Francisco was already considered one of the league’s elite teams.
The 49ers still have the second-best odds to win the Super Bowl according to FanDuel at +600. That’s just behind the Chiefs (+550) and comfortably ahead of the Ravens (+1100), Lions (+1200) and Eagles (+1300). San Francisco remains the favorite to win the NFC at +300. The Lions and Eagles are tied at +550 while the Packers and Cowboys are +800.
Perhaps the biggest impact his return has on the markets is how it helps Brock Purdy’s MVP candidacy. Purdy was the favorite win MVP last year as late as December but ended up finishing fourth behind Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott and teammate Christian McAffrey. His chances to win the award this year clearly improves with Aiyuk in the fold. Purdy currently has the eighth-best odds to win MVP at +1600.
