NOVEMBER 23: Shanahan said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle) he and Aiyuk spoke early in training camp after the decision was made to alter the contract. He described those talks as “positive,” but things have clearly soured since then. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports, meanwhile, that Aiyuk is still considered close to being medically cleared for a return (video link). Whether or not he plays this season will remain something to monitor.
NOVEMBER 22: A Friday report pointed to a split between Brandon Aiyuk being likely for the 2026 offseason. The main reason pointing in that direction is the fact Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees have been voided in a move he has not challenged through the NFLPA. 
When speaking to the media for the first time since Friday’s report, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Aiyuk’s future guarantees have indeed been voided. Notably, though, he clarified that move was made by the team in July. Shanahan did not specify why the contract adjustment took place.
“I’ve been coaching over 20 years and I’ve never been in a situation where a contract’s been voided,” he said, via Sam Jane, Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic (subscription required). “It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided. Never dealt with that. It was unusual, but it’s stuff I can’t get into right now.”
During the outset of training camp, Shanahan admitted he was “frustrated” with Aiyuk’s situation as it pertained to his knee rehab. ACL, MCL and meniscus tears ended the former first-rounder’s 2024 season after seven games. Aiyuk has not played since, despite a number of updates to his status suggesting a return would take place sometime in 2025. Shanahan added the 27-year-old is still considered week-to-week at this point, although it is unclear how much progress he has made in recovery.
Today’s Athletic piece on the situation notes how Aiyuk was a “mainstay” at practices during training camp and into September. Things changed afterwards, however, with Shanahan confirming the Arizona State product has missed meetings and other team activities recently. He added Aiyuk’s absences in meetings is not related to his contract but also reiterated the team’s frustration with an overall lack of communication in this case.
Tension between Aiyuk and Shanahan dates back several years, and it appeared at multiple points in 2024 as though a trade would end their time together in San Francisco. With a Steelers swap having been agreed to (and something Aiyuk was prepared to proceed with), a four-year, $120MM 49ers deal was instead ultimately worked out. That seemed to put an end to speculation about a parting of ways, but with no guaranteed money owed after the current season ends the team will be able to proceed with a release with relative ease.
The 49ers traded away Deebo Samuel this past offseason in a move which came as little surprise. That seemed to pave the way for Aiyuk and 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall to operate as the team’s top receivers for years to come, but an Aiyuk release would leave San Francisco in need of another notable WR commitment this spring. Without him in the fold, the team ranks second in the league in passing offense so far this season.
A return to the lineup for the 7-4 49ers at any point would be welcomed given the impact Aiyuk – who topped 1,000 yards in 2022 and ’23, totaling 15 touchdowns in that span – could make on the field. It is clear no certainty exists on that front, however, and the team has obviously been preparing for a split since the summer. This will remain a key San Francisco storyline for the foreseeable future while a potential release approaches.
