The end of the road might be coming for the San Francisco 49ers and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. After five seasons, the 49ers are reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with Aiyuk over the past few months, per The Athletic.
Aiyuk was placed on the physically unable to perform list in July while recovering from a season-ending ACL and MCL tear that he sustained last season. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said in August that Aiyuk could possibly return as soon as October, but the receiver has yet to be reactivated by the team.
According to The Athletic, the relationship between Aiyuk and the team has become strained behind the scenes. Aiyuk has reportedly failed to participate in team meetings and other team activities in the past couple of months, with The Athletic reporting that San Francisco has been particularly frustrated with Aiyuk's "lack of communication."
The Athletic also reports the 49ers voided the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract for 2026, saying that his absences qualify as a failure to fulfill his contract. The receiver is set to have a cap hit of $15,390,281 next season, per Sportrac.
The 49ers have voided the guaranteed money in Brandon Aiyuk's contract for 2026, per @DMRussini and @MikeSilver.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 22, 2025
Aiyuk and San Francisco look to be heading toward a "stunning divorce," 15 months after signing a four-year extension worth $120 million. pic.twitter.com/UOfuYwWMFm
Per The Athletic, Aiyuk told the NFL Players Association that he did not want to file a grievance against the move, which opens the door for the 27-year-old receiver to be released at the end of the season.
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract with San Francisco after a breakout 2023 season. The deal ended a dramatic holdout and a saga of trade speculation, with the receiver later admitting that he made the process "a little bit more difficult than it needed to [be]."
Aiyuk played in seven games in 2024 prior to tearing his ACL, but was efficient despite being limited. He ended the year with 25 receptions for 374 receiving yards — with both sitting at fifth in the team's receiving stats, despite him playing half as many games.
Despite the drama, the 49ers indicated a desire to keep Aiyuk around as recently as last week, with general manager John Lynch saying that the team's "intention is to get Brandon back."
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