The future of Brandon Aiyuk with the San Francisco 49ers remains uncertain after the team voided approximately $27 million in guarantees for his contract scheduled for 2026. Coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media on Saturday, revealing that this move came after Aiyuk did not meet certain contractual obligations, which may include his attendance at required team activities and rehabilitation sessions.
Details of the Contract Situation
During a news conference that lasted nearly twelve minutes, Shanahan confirmed that Aiyuk’s contract was voided in late July due to unspecified issues. “It’s extremely unusual to me,” Shanahan stated, reflecting on his over 20 years of coaching experience without encountering a similar situation. He indicated that while Aiyuk missed some meetings, players recovering from injuries often do not participate fully in team activities.
Shanahan noted that Aiyuk had been present for rehabilitation at the team facility as recently as Friday. Sources indicated that the voiding of guarantees stemmed from Aiyuk’s failure to adhere to the terms of his contract, but Shanahan refrained from providing further specifics. “It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided,” he remarked, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.
As it stands, Aiyuk is on the physically unable to perform list, and the team has not cleared him for practice. Shanahan acknowledged a lack of communication regarding Aiyuk’s recovery process, stating, “I am not getting much dialogue just personally between him and I.” He added that the team’s assessment of Aiyuk’s readiness is currently on a week-to-week basis.
Team Dynamics and Future Implications
Despite the uncertainty, Shanahan expressed hope that Aiyuk will return to the field this season. Fellow receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall mentioned they have been in contact with Aiyuk, though they do not discuss the business aspects of his situation. Pearsall noted, “I think he’s doing fine. It’s hard because he’s a quiet guy, he’s to himself.”
The financial implications for the 49ers are significant. Should the team decide to part ways with Aiyuk in the offseason, the voiding of his 2026 guarantees would enable greater cap savings. Nonetheless, an outright release without a post-June 1 designation would incur a dead-cap charge of approximately $29.585 million. Beyond the upcoming season, Aiyuk is set to receive base salaries of $27.274 million in 2027 and $29.15 million in 2028.
Shanahan clarified that he is not currently considering releasing Aiyuk. “What happened in July doesn’t have anything to do with the future,” he stated. “When it comes to the future of this, I would love for BA to be here.” He reiterated his desire for Aiyuk to regain his health and contribute to the team.
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension on August 29, 2024, after a contentious negotiation process that included trade discussions with the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite these potential moves, Aiyuk chose to remain with the 49ers.
If he does not play again this season, Aiyuk will have earned $48 million for just seven appearances following his contract extension. In those games, he recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards without scoring a touchdown. While there had been optimism earlier this year regarding Aiyuk’s participation at training camp, his recent absence raises concerns about his future with the franchise.
Shanahan concluded by stating that he is waiting for Aiyuk to return to practice, while acknowledging the challenges of the current situation. “You’d have to ask him” about the changes in his motivation and progress, he said, leaving the door open for Aiyuk’s eventual return.
