Keeping Up with the Aiyuk's

While Deebo Samuel and George Kittle were starring in Netflix’s “Receiver” this summer, Brandon Aiyuk felt like he needed his own reality series: “Keeping Up with the Aiyuk’s.” That show has finally come to an end.

After months of trade requests, complaining, and conflicting reports, Brandon Aiyuk has signed his extension with the 49ers. Aiyuk’s deal is a 4-year $120 million deal, with $76 million guaranteed. Aiyuk will make $30 million annually, which is what he’s always wanted.

Brandon Aiyuk has been the x-factor on the 49ers ever since they drafted him in the first round of the 2020 draft. The 49ers traded up with the Vikings to take Aiyuk, which shows how much they were impressed with him during his time at Arizona State. 

Last year Aiyuk truly broke out and became the go to guy in the 49ers passing attack. In 2023 Aiyuk had 75 catches for 1342 yards to pair with 7 touchdowns. Aiyuk averaged a league high 17.9 yards per catch (ypc). He was the go-to guy on third down, as he led the entire NFL in third down catches.

In the pilot of the show, it began as the summer of Brandon Aiyuk for 49ers fans. On July 16th Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade from the 49ers, he felt disrespected by the 49ers initial contract offer. According to reports, the 49ers initial offer was $26 million a year, way off Aiyuk’s plans. 

In episode two, Aiyuk took to X to say, “Tomlin and I are twins.” In this tweet Aiyuk is referencing Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, hinting he wanted to play for them. Aiyuk went on Instagram live just a week later, wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates hat, which had all Steelers fans getting excited.

It was always confusing why Aiyuk would want to go to the Steelers. It did make for some great content though. It was all a leverage move from Aiyuk to get what he wants, he never wanted to leave the Bay Area. 

Episode three was a good one. In early August the 49ers had agreed to a trade to send Aiyuk to the Patriots. New England would have paid him $32 million a year, which is way more than he originally asked for. The 49ers liked what New England had to offer, but Aiyuk said no. Aiyuk did not want to go to New England. Even with all the money in the world, it wasn’t enough for Aiyuk to play for the Patriots. 

The season finale had everything you could ever want. It was the first week of non-training camp practice, and Aiyuk had to show up. 49ers General Manager (GM) John Lynch said, “we’ll handle it,” when asked what they would do if Aiyuk did not show up to practice. Aiyuk did not show up to practice and everybody within the organization was nervous to say the least. Kyle Shanahan even had those crazy “Kyle Eyes” during his press conference. 

The best news coming out of this is we can finally stop talking about Brandon Aiyuk, at least for the next four years. Currently, there is no news on if “Keeping Up with the Aiyuk’s” will return for season two.