"According to @JayGlazer, Brandon Aiyuk called off a trade to the Steelers in the eleventh hour to stay with the 49ers," Jay Glazer posted on X on Sept. 8, 2024. "Kyle Shanahan told Aiyuk that he had to make a decision by the end of practice on the day the deal got done. Aiyuk chose to stay in San Francisco."

It has been quite the past year or so for San Francisco 49ers Brandon Aiyuk. After being the center of trade speculation much of the 2024 offseason, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension to stay in Santa Clara. That was followed by a career-low 53.4 receiving yards per game—and a midseason ACL tear.

The 49ers signed Aiyuk at the last moment to a four-year, 120 million contract right before the 2024 season opener against the New York Jets. After an up-and-down 2024 season, Aiyuk suffered a devastating knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs, which ended his season. The injury was a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus.