Report: 49ers preparing to release Aiyuk after voiding guarantees

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his last game with the franchise just 15 months after signing a four-year, $120-million extension, sources told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Mike Silver.

The 49ers voided the guaranteed money on Aiyuk’s contract for 2026 due to the wideout’s failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. He has reportedly failed to attend meetings and participate in team activities in recent months. The organization has grown frustrated with his lack of communication, according to Russini and Silver.

Aiyuk reportedly informed the NFLPA that he didn’t want to file a grievance related to the voided guarantees.

Some people within the organization hope the relationship can be salvaged so that he can return in 2025, but a reconciliation between the two sides is reportedly unlikely.

The wide receiver reportedly works out early in the morning and exits the facilities before players arrive. Multiple players on the roster have attempted to harmonize the relationship without success.

Voiding Aiyuk’s future guarantees gives the 49ers an avenue to recoup a significant portion of the money agreed to in his contract if he’s released. Aiyuk signed the extension following a long hold-in throughout last year’s training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly took issue with the situation being a distraction, and the team negotiated potential trades with the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. After Aiyuk was reluctant to sign extensions with the two clubs, he ultimately agreed to San Francisco’s offer.

Aiyuk is currently on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus during an October 2024 contest versus the Kansas City Chiefs. He was expected to return to the field sometime this season but has yet to be elevated to the active roster.

The 27-year-old was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft out of Arizona State and has spent his entire six-year career with San Francisco. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after totaling 75 catches for 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Running back Christian McCaffrey leads the team in receiving yards (732) this season. Kendrick Bourne, who signed a one-year, $5-million deal in early September after being cut by the Patriots, has the most yards (482) of any wideout on the roster.

San Francisco is 7-4 heading into its Week 12 tilt against the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football.

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