SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It will take days, weeks, or even months for the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to reach a resolution, multiple sources told The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones.
Aiyuk could still be eligible to sign with a team quickly if one is willing to take on the risk, Jones reported, but contractual questions remain without clear answers for either side. The situation falls in a gray area of the collective bargaining agreement, according to Jones, which is why the 49ers have been in regular contact with the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association.
Brandon Aiyuk Contract At Center Of Dispute
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024 that included a $23 million signing bonus. He played seven games before an injury and later went AWOL, landing on the reserve/left squad list.
The 49ers have already voided his guarantees, and Aiyuk never sought them, Jones reported. The team is seeking to recoup $13 million. Aiyuk recently hired Drew Rosenhaus as his agent.
Aiyuk filed for reinstatement and met with the team at its business offices Friday rather than at the team facility. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that he has moved on.
“I have no expectations,” Shanahan said. “I’ve moved on with that mentally. Talked two months ago about that and it hasn’t changed with me.”
General manager John Lynch said the team is working with the NFL Management Council on a pathway that works for both sides and could share more next week.
Path Back To The Field Remains Unclear
One source told Jones that three things must happen for Aiyuk to play again this season: good behavior in his meetings with the 49ers, the 49ers moving to resolve the matter quickly, and a healthy, trustworthy player for an acquiring team. Jones wrote that the first two appear to be in place.
Keeping Aiyuk in San Francisco appears the least likely outcome given what Shanahan and Lynch have said on the record, Jones reported. A trade for Aiyuk on his current contract ranks as the next least likely.
The 49ers (6-1) host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday without wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel. San Francisco is in the market for a wide receiver before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT trade deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
