49ers prepare for stunning split with star receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Fifteen months ago, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers ended a contentious contract dispute by negotiating a four-year extension worth $120 million. It now appears that Aiyuk and the 49ers are headed for a stunning divorce.

Aiyuk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last October, was placed on the physically unable to perform list in July and has not yet been activated. It is now likely that the 27-year-old has played his final game for the franchise, according to numerous sources informed of the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation. Some in the organization are hoping the relationship can be salvaged enough for him to return this season. However, several sources believe that a reconciliation is unlikely.

Aiyuk, according to sources, has not attended meetings and refused to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have become increasingly frustrated with the receiver’s lack of communication.

The 49ers, according to sources, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, saying the absences amounted to a breach of his contractual obligations. Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to object to the decision through a formal grievance. This would pave the way for his planned release at the end of the season.

Aiyuk did not respond to a text message seeking comment. His agent, Ryan Williams, declined to comment. A 49ers spokesperson declined to comment.

By voiding Aiyuk’s future guarantees, the 49ers can recoup a significant portion of the contract. His 2026 option bonus would have paid $24.935 million. He was set to earn a base salary of $1.215 million for the 2026 season, as well as a $100,000 practice bonus and roster bonuses of $750,000 per game.

Aiyuk, a 2023 second-team All-Pro, is reportedly entering the open market with uncertainty over the health of his right knee. He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in an October 20, 2024 game against the Kansas City Chiefs and underwent major reconstructive surgery in mid-November.

Aiyuk was expected to return for the end of this season, but he remained on the PUP list. His presence at the team’s training center has become rare; sources say Aiyuk usually practices early in the morning and leaves before other 49ers players arrive. Numerous members of the organization — including some 49ers players — have contacted Aiyuk in recent weeks in an unsuccessful attempt to bring him back into the fold, a source said.

Aiyuk’s relationship with 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and others in the organization was tested following the team’s overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. After having his career-best season in 2023 – Aiyuk had 1,342 receiving yards and was second in the NFL in yards per reception (17.9) – the receiver was unwilling to play for the $14.1 million he would have been owed on the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

Instead, Aiyuk stayed away from team activities until training camp, when he staged a detention, showing up at the team’s practice facility but not practicing, citing back and neck pain.

The receiver’s relationship with the franchise became more strained as the retention dragged on. Shanahan, according to sources, took issue with Aiyuk’s opinion distracting presence. The coach and other decision-makers in the organization were also frustrated by Aiyuk’s change of mind on what contract terms he was seeking and what potential trade destinations were acceptable to him.

The 49ers negotiated trade scenarios with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, but Aiyuk was reluctant to sign extensions with those teams, effectively ending the chances of a deal. He was ready to commit long-term to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were willing to part with second- and third-round picks to acquire him, according to sources.

In late August 2024, the 49ers forced the issue, medically clearing Aiyuk to return to practice. When he refused to do so the next day, the team was ready to make the deal with the Steelers. However, the next morning, Aiyuk met with Shanahan in his office and told the coach he would accept the 49ers’ most recent contract offer.

Shanahan then ran up the stairs to tell general manager John Lynch not to make the trade with Pittsburgh. Shortly after, Aiyuk – a 2020 first-round selection – signed the four-year extension, which included $76 million in guarantees.

Once the 2024 season began, Aiyuk got off to a slow start, catching just 13 passes for 167 yards and no touchdowns in the team’s first four games. In late September – in an incident witnessed by members of the media – Aiyuk became visibly upset on the practice field after Shanahan told him to change out of his practice shorts. Aiyuk wore red shorts, rather than the black ones the coach required.

Aiyuk then discarded his gloves and cleats, removed his shorts and attempted to pull them off his leg, eventually replacing them with the required black ones.

He showed his 2023 form the following Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, catching 12 passes for 147 yards. Two weeks later, during a 28–18 home loss to the Chiefs, Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury. The 49ers went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.