“I made it a little more difficult than necessary”

That the extension ultimately became a huge success, which included $76 million in guarantees, was partly because Aiyuk played the “creaking wheel” rather than settle for exercising the $14.1 million fifth-year option.

“A squeaky wheel needs to be quiet sometimes, but knows when to squeak,” he said. “Just that balance.”

Aiyuk’s importance to the Niners’ offense has never been in question. He’s the field-stretching weapon that helps balance Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. In 2023, he’s thrown for 1,342 yards on 75 catches with seven touchdowns. He may not have the numbers of some of the other highly paid wideouts, but his efficiency is unmatched.

The receiver reported to training camp in July and staged a hold-in — attending meetings but not practicing. The decision made things awkward for all parties, especially as the season approached.

“It was tough,” he said. “That was probably the hardest part of the whole thing, just because you have the rest of the team involved at that point. I’m here every day. They’re suiting up, getting ready to go to practice, and I’m not. So that was the hardest part. But in that same tone, I was able to sit in on meetings, and go through all the things that they had to go through, and still be involved. … So it was a little awkward, but I think it worked out the way it was supposed to.”

It worked out well, as the Niners were able to keep their core together and try to end a 30-year streak of not winning the Lombardi Trophy.