SANTA CLARA, Calif. — As the San Francisco 49ers face pivotal decisions regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, key questions continue to loom over his future with the team. On Saturday, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the franchise voided approximately $27 million in guaranteed money from Aiyuk’s contract for 2026 in late July. Throughout his news conference, Shanahan addressed inquiries surrounding Aiyuk’s current status, offering some context while remaining tight-lipped about specifics.
“This situation is extremely unusual to me,” Shanahan noted. With over 20 years of coaching experience, he acknowledged that he had never encountered a situation where a player’s contract was voided.
The major query raised during the conference was the rationale behind the 49ers’ drastic financial move. Shanahan hinted that Aiyuk’s absence from meetings and team activities contributed to the decision, while he also recognized that players are sometimes unable to participate due to injuries, referencing Aiyuk’s right knee issues. Despite this, Shanahan mentioned Aiyuk had been observed at the team facility for rehabilitation as recently as Friday.
According to sources, Aiyuk’s guarantees were voided due to concerns regarding his adherence to contract terms, including participation in necessary rehab and team activities. However, Shanahan indicated that there were additional factors at play, though he refrained from providing details.
The 49ers have yet to medically clear Aiyuk to return to practice. Shanahan expressed uncertainty about the communication between himself and Aiyuk, revealing that he is awaiting weekly updates on Aiyuk’s readiness to rejoin the team. Presently, Aiyuk remains on the physically unable to perform list and can initiate his 21-day practice window at any time.
Fellow wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall mentioned they have reached out to Aiyuk, though they choose not to delve into the business aspects of his situation. Pearsall shared his thoughts on Aiyuk, stating, “I think he’s doing fine… I’m just trying to pay my dues back to him, and I think he’s doing good.”
With the voiding of Aiyuk’s guarantees, speculation arises about the possibility of him having played his last game for the 49ers. If the organization decides to part ways with him in the offseason, the move could provide additional salary cap relief, despite incurring considerable dead money in the short term.
In terms of future prospects, Shanahan expressed a desire for Aiyuk to remain with the team, emphasizing that the earlier decision was unrelated to considerations about the upcoming seasons. “What happened in July doesn’t have anything to do with the future,” he stated. “I would love for BA to be here… I still hold out hope that he can get there.”
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension on August 29, 2024, following a sometimes contentious negotiation process. Throughout that time, the 49ers had explored trades with teams like the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers, all of which Aiyuk vetoed to remain in San Francisco.
If Aiyuk does not return to play for the 49ers, he will have received $48 million for participating in only seven games following his contract extension, during which he recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards without scoring a touchdown.
Despite previous optimism during training camp regarding Aiyuk’s participation and progress, his absence during practice and media sessions has raised concerns. When asked about the changes leading to Aiyuk’s current situation, Shanahan suggested that the answer lies with Aiyuk himself, further adding, “From my standpoint, I’m just waiting for him to get back to practice.”
The ongoing dialogue around Aiyuk is emblematic of the delicacies of professional sports contracts and the unpredictable nature of athlete participation. Fans and team management alike remain hopeful for a positive resolution that will see Aiyuk return to the field, contributing to the 49ers’ efforts as they strive for success this season.