The San Francisco 49ers and their star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are heading for what insiders describe as a stunning divorce, creating a major crisis for the NFL franchise.
This dramatic separation comes less than eighteen months after the parties celebrated a four-year, $120million contract agreement, which now appears completely broken down.
Contract Breakdown and Communication Failure
According to a report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the relationship between player and team has become unsalvageable. The situation has deteriorated so severely that the 49ers have taken the extraordinary step of voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract for the 2026 season.
The team justified this drastic action by stating that Aiyuk's numerous absences from team activities amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. The voided guarantee represents a massive $26.15million, plus an option bonus of $24.935million according to sports financial website Spotrac.
From All-Pro to Complete Absence
Aiyuk's downfall has been both rapid and dramatic. After earning second-team All-Pro honours in the 2023 season, he engaged in a prolonged contract dispute during the 2024 preseason. Although a resolution was reached just weeks before the 2024 campaign began, disaster struck in mid-October 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The receiver suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee. This ended his 2024 season and led to his placement on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list in July, from which he has never been activated.
Russini's report reveals that Aiyuk has failed to attend meetings and hasn't participated in team activities in recent months. His appearances at the team facility have become increasingly rare, with the Arizona State product reportedly working out early in the morning and leaving before other players arrive.
Failed Reconciliation and Trade Attempts
The 49ers organisation has grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver's lack of communication. Multiple sources indicate that numerous people within the organisation, including fellow players, have reached out to Aiyuk in unsuccessful attempts to bring him back into the fold.
The team explored trade options with several interested parties, including the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. However, Aiyuk himself prevented these potential moves from progressing.
In a surprising development, Aiyuk has told NFL Players Association representatives that he does not wish to fight the team's decision to void his guaranteed money by filing an official grievance. This suggests the relationship damage may be beyond repair as the messy separation continues to unfold.
