After tense negotiations in 2024 in which Brandon Aiyuk was rewarded a four-year $120 million contract, Aiyuk sustained a severe knee injury that included an ACL tear in October of 2024. The team voided Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees due to him missing team meetings in 2025. Information has come out that Aiyuk has ignored any attempts of contact by head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM Jon Lynch. Lynch announced at the season’s end press conference “It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap as a Niner.”

In 2023, a healthy Brandon Aiyuk finished as WR16 with 75 receptions, 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. The arrow was pointing up on Aiyuk as the top receiver for the 49ers. Then the tense contract extension and the knee injury changed everything. It is unknown what will happen to Aiyuk once he is released. Another team could acquire his skills for cheap, if he can return to his form before his injury he will be a massive asset. Stay tuned for more updates when he is released.

Author: Jesse Baldwin @J_Baldwin51