After a drama-filled training camp and exhibition season, the San Francisco 49ers got back to business as usual on Monday when they won their regular season opener against the New York Jets, 32-19.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey didn’t play due to a lingering calf strain, but RB2 Jordan Mason took over with 147 rushing yards, and the Jets simply couldn’t contain him.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was underwhelming with just two catches for 28 yards, and he seemed to have some rust after not practicing for most of the summer while looking for the lucrative contract extension he got less than two weeks ago.
According to Jay Glazer, Aiyuk showed up to the 49ers facility when they were on the verge of completing a trade that would’ve sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he got head coach Kyle Shanahan to interrupt that trade discussion in order to get an extension done.
Glazer said that the Niners already had an extension offer that they brought out again, and they told Aiyuk he had until the end of practice to either accept that offer or agree to a trade to Pittsburgh.
He ended up accepting a four-year, $120 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2028 season.
Aiyuk is the biggest weapon in the Niners’ passing game, and he led the team in receptions and passing yards while being tied for the most passing touchdowns last season.
It speaks to San Francisco’s great talent and offensive scheme that they were able to easily defeat a talented Jets team without McCaffrey and with Aiyuk playing well below his ability.
