Aiyuk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in October 2024, was placed on the physically unable to perform list in July and has not yet been activated. Now it is likely that the 27-year-old has played his last game with the franchise, According to multiple sources briefed on the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situationSome in the organization are hoping the relationship can be salvaged enough for his return this season, However, many sources believe that a reconciliation is unlikely,
Sources say Aiyuk has failed to attend meetings in recent months and has refused to participate in other team activities, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver’s lack of communication.
Sources say the 49ers responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, claiming the absence amounts to a failure to meet his contractual obligations. According to multiple league sources, Aiyuk told representatives of the NFL Players Association that he did not want to fight the move through an official grievance. This would clear the way for his expected 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 spokesperson for the 49ers declined to comment.
By voiding Aiyuk’s future guarantees, the 49ers can recover a significant portion of the contract. His 2026 option bonus would have paid him $24.935 million. He was scheduled to receive a base salary of $1.215 million for the 2026 season, plus a $100,000 workout bonus and a roster bonus of $750,000 per game.
Aiyuk, a second-team All-Pro in 2023, will hit the open market with uncertainties about the health of his right knee. He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus during an October 20, 2024 game against the Kansas City Chiefs and underwent major reconstructive surgery in mid-November.
There was hope that Aiyuk could return in the latter half of the season, but he remains on the PUP list. His appearances at the team’s training facility have become rare; Sources say Aiyuk typically works out early in the morning and leaves before other 49ers players arrive. Multiple members of the organization — including some 49ers players — have contacted Aiyuk in recent weeks in an unsuccessful attempt to bring him back to the team, 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. Coming off a 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 was due to receive due to the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
Instead, Aiyuk remained away from team activities until training camp, when he showed up to report to the team’s training facility but did not practice, citing back and neck pain.
As the hold-in dragged on, the receiver’s relationship with the franchise became more strained. According to sources, Shanahan raised the issue of Aiyuk distracting presenceThe coaches and other powerbrokers in the organization were also disappointed that Aiyuk had changed his mind on contract terms and 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 possibility of a deal. According to sources, he was ready to make a long-term commitment with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were willing to give up second- and third-round draft picks to acquire him.
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 complete the deal with the Steelers. However, the next morning, Aiyuk met with Shanahan in his office and told the coach that he would accept the 49ers’ most recent contract offer.
Shanahan then walked up the stairs to tell general manager John Lynch not to complete the trade with Pittsburgh. Shortly thereafter, Aiyuk – a first-round pick in 2020 – signed a four-year extension that included $76 million in guarantees.
Once the 2024 season began, Aiyuk got off to a slow start, catching only 13 passes for 167 yards and no touchdowns in the team’s first four games. In late September – in an incident witnessed by media members – Aiyuk became visibly upset on the practice field when Shanahan asked him to change his practice shorts. Aiyuk wore red shorts instead of the black shorts mandated by the coach.
Aiyuk took off his gloves and cleats, pulled down his shorts and attempted to take them off his feet, eventually replacing them with the required black ones.
He showed his 2023 form the following Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and caught 12 passes for 147 yards. Two weeks later, Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury during a 28–18 home loss to the Chiefs. The 49ers went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
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