Speculation has surrounded the future of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for months, and on Wednesday, general manager John Lynch all but confirmed what many in the media expected. Aiyuk, who did not return this season after suffering ACL and MCL injuries in 2024, has likely played his final snap in red and gold.
"The plan, in terms of the transaction, that will come in due time," Lynch said during the 49ers' end-of-season press conference. "I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners. It's unfortunate—a situation that just went awry. And I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes just doesn't work out. I think that this was a case where that happened."
Aiyuk's tenure with the 49ers unraveled following a prolonged and contentious contract dispute. After a hold-in during training camp and months of frustration in 2024, he signed a four-year, $120 million extension just before the season. He appeared in only seven games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
In July, San Francisco voided Aiyuk's guaranteed money for the 2026 season, further fueling speculation that a separation was inevitable. Reports indicated that Aiyuk failed to participate in team-directed rehabilitation and meetings, further straining relations between the player and the organization.
With limited communication and no clarity on his availability, the 49ers eventually placed Aiyuk on the rarely used reserve/left squad list late in the season. The designation—typically reserved for players who quit or step away from the team—officially ended his season after the club had continued to hold out hope for a late return.
When asked why Aiyuk appeared so frustrated and unwilling to remain around the team, Lynch offered little insight—because the situation is just as confusing to him.
"I wish I knew," Lynch said. "Can't help you there. Sorry."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan echoed that confusion, noting that communication with Aiyuk existed at one point but eventually stopped without explanation.
"There's not much of an explanation because it's really hard for us, and anyone else, to understand," Shanahan shared. "That's why it's something I've never seen in 22 years of coaching. So, it's unfortunate. It's confusing because it's confusing for all of us.
"But it eventually becomes it is what it is. And you try as hard as you can to fix something that you don't understand, but it's not like we understand it very well, still. But eventually you understand that it's not going to change, and you've got to move on with your football team, which is always the most important thing."