In a significant development for the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the team voided approximately $27 million in guarantees on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract for 2026. This decision, made in late July, has raised numerous questions about Aiyuk’s future with the franchise as they navigate a period of uncertainty.
During a news conference on November 22, 2025, Shanahan described the circumstances surrounding Aiyuk’s contract as “extremely unusual,” noting that in over 20 years of coaching, he had never encountered a situation where a contract had been voided. The focus of the media’s inquiries centered on the reasoning behind this drastic measure, with Shanahan acknowledging Aiyuk’s absence from certain meetings and team activities. He mentioned that Aiyuk has been dealing with a right knee injury, which complicated his participation.
Despite the ongoing situation, Aiyuk was reportedly seen at the team facility for rehab as recently as November 21. Sources indicate that the voiding of Aiyuk’s guarantees relates to his failure to meet the terms of his contract, although Shanahan implied that there are additional factors at play without elaborating further. “It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided,” Shanahan explained. “I’ve never dealt with that in my career.”
Shanahan confirmed that Aiyuk has not been medically cleared to return to play, and when questioned about the communication between Aiyuk and the team, he stated, “I can’t tell you that.” He added that the situation is evaluated on a week-to-week basis, indicating that the team is still hopeful for Aiyuk’s return this season. Currently, Aiyuk is listed on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he could activate his 21-day practice window at any time.
While the team grapples with Aiyuk’s status, his fellow wide receivers, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, shared that they have reached out to Aiyuk but do not discuss business matters with him. Pearsall remarked on Aiyuk’s character, stating, “He’s a quiet guy, he’s to himself, but as much as I can reach out to him and show love his way… I think he’s doing good.”
The uncertainty surrounding Aiyuk’s contract raises speculation about whether he has played his final game for the 49ers. If the team decides to part ways with him in the offseason, the voided guarantees would provide financial relief, although the 49ers would still face a dead cap charge of $29.585 million from accelerated signing and option bonuses. Looking ahead, Aiyuk’s contract includes base salaries of $27.274 million in 2027 and $29.15 million in 2028.
Despite the challenges, Shanahan expressed his desire for Aiyuk to remain with the team, emphasizing that the events of July should not dictate future decisions. “What happened in July doesn’t have anything to do with the future,” he stated. “I would love for him to get healthy and get back to really helping us out.”
Aiyuk previously signed a four-year, $120 million extension on August 29, 2024, after a protracted negotiation process that included the possibility of trades to the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Each trade was ultimately vetoed by Aiyuk, who expressed a preference to stay in San Francisco. Should he not return to play, he would have received $48 million for just seven games, in which he recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards without any touchdowns.
At training camp earlier this year, there had been optimism about Aiyuk’s progress. Shanahan and wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson praised his engagement in meetings. Yet, Aiyuk’s presence has noticeably diminished, as he has not participated in media-accessible practice segments or locker room interviews. When asked what had changed, Shanahan commented, “You’d have to ask him.”
As the season progresses, the 49ers remain in a holding pattern regarding Aiyuk’s status, with Shanahan awaiting further updates on the player’s readiness to return to practice.
