49ers great Steve Young doesn’t mince words on ‘terrible’ Brandon Aiyuk drama

As if the injury-plagued 2025 campaign weren't difficult enough, the San Francisco 49ers are now navigating a troubling Brandon Aiyuk situation. The wide receiver continues to rehab from the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered last season. While there was once optimism he could return this year and remain a long-term centerpiece of the 49ers' receiving corps, that outlook has become far less certain.

Recent reporting revealed that the 49ers voided Aiyuk's 2026 guaranteed money back in July, fueling speculation about a potential split between the team and its former first-round pick. Internally, there appears to be little confidence that Aiyuk will return at any point this season.

When asked if it remains realistic to expect Aiyuk back in 2025, general manager John Lynch was candid.

"Realistic? I'm not sure," Lynch admitted. "Hopeful? Yeah. So, I think that's kind of where I'd leave that."

Head coach Kyle Shanahan echoed the sentiment, saying, "Oh, I'm definitely still hopeful. I'm not counting on it, but I'm definitely still hoping that can happen."

Hall of Fame quarterback and 49ers legend Steve Young joined Bay Area radio station KNBR this week and didn't mince words when addressing the Aiyuk situation, emphasizing just how disappointing the saga has become.

When asked whether Aiyuk has played his last snap in a 49ers uniform, Young responded, "It feels like it's up to Brandon. It feels like he's decided that it's broken and has moved on. But I think, football, it's an emotional game, and relationships mend, and people change their ways, and they see new potential where they saw no potential before."

Last year, Aiyuk and the 49ers endured months of contract drama. The receiver even requested a trade, and San Francisco nearly honored that request before ultimately reaching an agreement with him.

Until recently, it seemed the drama was in the past.

"I might be wrong that it's Brandon's choice," Young continued, "but I've got to believe that with his talent, and what he gave, particularly to Brock ... Brandon was that guy that was open quickly, deep, out on the fringes, and outside, where things could really cause defenses grief, and it's a huge loss.

"And it's terrible that this has happened the way it has. And if he's healthy and ready to go, I'd love [to] invite Brandon Aiyuk back. Like, 'Bro, come on, man. Fix whatever's wrong, bury whatever it is, and let's go do this.'"

Young added, "But it feels like something might have broken, and that's too bad."