Brandon Aiyuk remains out for the San Francisco 49ers as he works back from a significant knee injury he suffered in October 2024. With only six regular-season games remaining, a return this year looks unlikely.
He is also drawing attention for something unrelated to his rehab. His contract situation has become a major storyline, sparking questions about whether he and the team are moving toward a split.
The Athletic reported on November 21 that during training camp, the 49ers voided the guaranteed money in his 2026 contract after he failed to meet certain conditions. The move wiped out an option bonus worth $24.935 million that had been set to become guaranteed on April 1.
On November 22, reporters asked 49ers wideout Ricky Pearsall about recent news regarding Aiyuk.
“I try not to stick my nose in other people’s business,” Pearsall said. “I just focus on what’s going on with me and my business; I have all the love in the world for BA. Me and BA go way back to ASU days in 2019. How I feel about him will never change. He’s been a huge part of my journey.
“He was the first receiver who showed me the routes of what an NFL receiver looks like back in 2019, and even today, watching film from Coach Hank shows how to run routes. I have all the love for BA, but I try not to stick my nose in that kind of business.”
49ers’ Trent Williams Comments on Brandon Aiyuk Issue
Pearsall wasn’t the only player that the media asked about the Aiyuk news. Another player on the Niners that reporters spoke with about the wideout’s situation is offensive lineman Trent Williams, who kept his response brief and direct.
“I’m just going to say this: I love [Aiyuk] like a brother, and I’m not going to comment on his situation—that’s between him and the 49ers, so I’ll let it be what it is,” Williams said on November 22.
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Drops Clear Feelings on Situation
Speaking to the media on November 22, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team voided Aiyuk’s contract guarantee back in July.
Although the 49ers chose to void Aiyuk’s $24.935 million option bonus, head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that he doesn’t want the team to part ways with him this offseason.
“What happened in July to me in my opinion doesn’t have anything to do with the future; that had to do with circumstances that were out of a coach’s hand,” Shanahan added.
“When it comes to business matters, lawyers, contracts, and the future of this, I would love for BA to be here, get healthy, and get back to really helping us out and being a part of this team. We haven’t had that in a little bit, and I still hold out hope that he can get there, but he obviously hasn’t gotten there yet.”
Since being drafted by the Niners in 2020, Aiyuk has had 294 catches for 4,305 yards and has scored 27 touchdowns in 69 games for the 49ers in his career, per StatMuse.
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