Before the start of the current season, the 49ers voided a 2026 option bonus for Brandon Aiyuk. That has fueled speculation a parting of ways will take place after the current campaign. 
Further details have emerged regarding the team’s decision to void Aiyuk’s guarantees. As ESPN’s Fowler writes, the sixth-year receiver declined to attend appointments for his knee rehab during the offseason. That is believed to be among the reasons San Francisco proceeded with voiding Aiyuk’s guarantees, a move he chose not to contest by means of an NFLPA grievance.
Aiyuk’s 2024 campaign ended when he suffered ACL, MCL and meniscus tears. He has yet to play since, despite a number of updates before and during this season pointing to him being cleared at some point. There is still optimism the 27-year-old will be cleared, although that would in turn lead to an interesting question of whether or not Aiyuk would be willing to play given where things stand at this point.
Fowler adds that some teams around the league see an Aiyuk trade as being possible, especially with his contract being easier to move in the absence of guaranteed compensation for next season. The former first-rounder’s deal still runs through 2028, however, so a release allowing him to choose his next destination is still a more realistic outcome. That would leave Aiyuk in the same situation as Christian Wilkins, after the Raiders voided his guarantees and moved forward with a release.
Aiyuk topped 1,000 yards for the first time in 2022. The following season, he set a career high in yards (1,342) and yards per catch (17.9), helping lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl along the way. The process of working out an extension was far from smooth, to say the least, and even with a long-term deal in hand Aiyuk’s future is once again a talking point.
Elsewhere at the receiver position, Matt Barrows of the Athletic writes (subscription required) the 49ers are likelier to retain Kendrick Bourne this offseason than Jauan Jennings. The latter was in the team’s long-term plans as of September, but as a pending free agent he could depart on the open market this spring. Jennings landed a two-year pact in 2024, the season in which he comfortably posted career-best numbers. Things have not been the same in 2025 for the former seventh-rounder.
Bourne’s second San Francisco stint has seen him make seven starts with the team dealing with several injuries. He has posted 482 scoreless yards while serving as an experienced secondary option in the passing game. Retaining Bourne, 30, will likely come at a lesser cost than re-signing Jennings once more. Of course, Aiyuk will play a large role in determining how the team operates at the WR spot once his situation becomes clearer.
Commanders. Patriots. Steelers. Giants.