San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle delivered a blunt update on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s chances of returning this season, saying, “At this point, it doesn’t seem like he’s coming back.”
Kittle’s quote landed in a new column by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, reporting the 49ers’ hope is fading and that a decision is coming soon on Aiyuk’s status.
Aiyuk has not played during the 2025 season after opening training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in July.
Dianna Russini: 49ers’ Optimism “Seems to Have Run Out”
Russini wrote Saturday that the 49ers had been “holding out hope” Aiyuk would return ready to practice, but added that “their optimism seems to have run out,” and she expects “a resolution sooner rather than later.”
That’s a notable tone shift for a situation that’s dragged through the season: the 49ers have been routinely asked about Aiyuk, and the wideout has remained sidelined while the team tries to push toward the finish of the regular season.
Complicating matters, the 49ers have already made a significant contract move involving Aiyuk’s future.
49ers Voided Aiyuk’s 2026 Guaranteed Money
In late November, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the team voided the 2026 guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract.
ESPN also reported the change involved the 2026 portion of Aiyuk’s deal, with the alteration first reported by The Athletic.
For fans trying to read the tea leaves, that’s a big backdrop to Russini’s “resolution” line. The business side has already shifted, and now the football side appears to be nearing a final call on whether Aiyuk is realistically coming back at all in 2025.
What Kittle’s Quote Means for the 49ers
Kittle’s message was harsh — but also telling. When leaders in the locker room publicly sound like they’re planning for life without a player, it usually reflects what the building feels day-to-day.
Aiyuk’s absence has been especially glaring because of what he’s been at his best: a true No. 1-caliber target. In 2023, he finished with 1,342 receiving yards, helping power a top-tier 49ers offense.
But Aiyuk hasn’t played since suffering a major knee injury in October 2024. The 49ers placed him on the active/PUP list in July, and he’s remained there through December.
What Comes Next for Brandon Aiyuk
One reason this story keeps resurfacing is simple: San Francisco’s offense is built around timing and trust. Aiyuk isn’t just “another” wideout — when he’s healthy, he’s the kind of route runner who changes how defenses line up. With December here, every practice rep matters, and the 49ers can’t keep living in a week-to-week limbo. If Aiyuk isn’t close, the team can fully turn the page, define roles, and stop answering the same questions. If he is close, that needs to show up quickly and publicly. That’s what Russini’s “resolution” line signals — and why Kittle sounded so definitive today.
Russini’s “sooner rather than later” wording is the key. The most obvious outcomes are straightforward:
If Aiyuk doesn’t progress to the point where he can practice, the season can simply end with him never taking a snap in 2025.
If the team determines there’s no realistic on-field path this year, attention shifts fully to what’s next in the offseason — especially with the contract wrinkle already in place.
Either way, Kittle’s quote sounded less like optimism and more like acceptance.
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