San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and owner Jed York offered diverging views on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s role with the team during league meetings in Phoenix on Monday.
Shanahan stuck to a firm line, stating that Aiyuk has played his last snap for the 49ers. He expressed no urgency in resolving the situation, emphasizing the need to prioritize the team’s interests. Shanahan indicated hope for securing some return in a potential trade, but made clear the 49ers would not rush to benefit another franchise. This stance echoes comments from Shanahan and general manager John Lynch at the end-of-season news conference on January 21, where Lynch declared it safe to say Aiyuk was done with the team.
York, speaking about two hours later, took a more open approach. He suggested all options remain on the table, including Aiyuk staying in San Francisco for the 2026 season. York stressed the importance of Aiyuk regaining full health from his right knee injury and performing at a high level, calling him a very good football player when healthy. This marked a shift, as neither Shanahan nor Lynch had floated the idea of retention since January.
The mixed messages come amid ongoing complications with Aiyuk’s contract and recovery. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in October 2024. Despite hopes of a return around Week 7 of the 2025 season, he remains week-to-week and uncleared medically, with six games left in the regular season. The 49ers voided $27 million in guaranteed money for 2026 back in July, after Aiyuk failed to meet rehab and participation requirements tied to his four-year, $120 million extension signed August 29, 2024.
That deal followed a tense holdout, with Aiyuk nearly traded to teams like the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. Financially, Aiyuk carries a $15.39 million cap hit in 2026. An outright release would incur $29.585 million in dead money, while a post-June 1 designation spreads it to $13.325 million in 2026 and $21.248 million in 2027. His $1.215 million base salary looks manageable, but a $24.935 million option bonus looms large unless reworked.
