San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk spent the offseason negotiating a new contract with the team and nearly joined the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a contract dispute.

In fact, FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer said over the weekend that the 49ers had a deal in place to send Aiyuk to the Steelers when things changed at the last minute. Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension and the rest is history.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk fails to catch a pass from New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II in the end zone on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

Aiyuk started on Monday night against the New York Jets. Shortly before the end of the first half, Brock Purdy found him in the end zone. Aiyuk dove for the ball, but couldn’t get it.

Peyton Manning, who watched the game on the “ManningCast” simulcast of the game with his brother Eli and former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, sharply criticized Aiyuk for dropping the ball after the lengthy contract dispute.

“Get signed, go to training camp. There’s a reason for training camp, you need it,” one enthusiastic Pro Football Hall of Famer said on the show. “We need the reps. Get those contracts done early so we can get to training camp and we don’t screw up on opening night.”

Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning walks across the field before the start of their game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas on October 8, 2016. (Scott Haller/Getty Images)

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“On a high school field, you’re still catching balls from a quarterback who’s 45 years old, my age. You’re not catching balls from your quarterback. Get signed, come to training camp, and we’re not dropping the ball.”

Eli Manning also admitted that Aiyuk seemed rusty.

The drama surrounding Aiyuk began immediately after the team’s loss in Super Bowl LVIII and lasted until the end of August. The wide receiver also admitted that he made things “difficult” before the contract was signed.

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner blocks a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

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On Monday, the 49ers defeated the Jets 32-19. Aiyuk had two catches on five attempts for 28 yards.

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