How 49ers exited Brandon Aiyuk’s $120M deal: Dead money and salary cap impact

How much will it cost the San Francisco 49ers to part ways with one of the NFL's top-paid wide receivers?

The San Francisco 49ers have voided the 2026 contract guarantees for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, laying the foundation for a divorce between the team and its former star receiver at the end of this season.

While the decision has raised questions throughout the fan base, the most pressing inquiry is financial: How did the 49ers exit the reported $120 million contract, and what are the salary cap ramifications for the team?

The Athletic's Mike Silver and Dianna Russini first reported the news over the weekend. The 49ers nullified Aiyuk's 2026 contract guarantees, citing his failure to fulfill obligations regarding mandatory meetings and team activities during his rehabilitation from reconstructive knee surgery:

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco later clarified that the franchise took action prior to the regular season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Saturday that the decision was made in July, though the development remained undisclosed for the majority of the season.

While the franchise has wasted valuable capital, the damage is not catastrophic — at least in current NFL terms. By voiding the 2026 guarantees, San Francisco is no longer obligated to pay Aiyuk his previously "vested" $27 million in compensation next year, including a nearly $25 million option bonus scheduled for September. Although the option technically remains in his contract, the structure effectively guarantees Aiyuk will not be on the Niners' roster to collect it.

This ensures the team owes Aiyuk no additional money moving forward. And, perhaps most important to the franchise, the organization avoids issuing a $25 million check provided the two sides part ways.

The 49ers must still account for the money actually paid to Aiyuk over his first two seasons which was prorated for salary cap purposes. Aiyuk is currently scheduled to count $15.4 million against the cap next year. If the team simply releases him, his total dead cap number for 2026 will be just under $30 million. This outcome reduces the team's cap space by an additional $15 million, absorbing the entire dead money charge in a single season.

If the team designates Aiyuk as a post-June 1 release, the salary cap impact splits between 2026 and 2027. Under this scenario, San Francisco would carry a $13.3 million dead cap charge in 2026. This figure includes $8.3 million in outstanding bonus proration and $5 million for his scheduled 2026 option bonus, as mandated by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Since his option will not be exercised, that $5 million is credited back to the team the following season. This leaves the 49ers with a final dead cap charge of $16.3 million in 2027, concluding the financial fallout.

While it isn't the outcome the San Francisco 49ers envisioned when they signed Brandon Aiyuk to a lucrative contract extension last year, it certainly could have been much worse.