The day after the San Francisco 49ers upended the Arizona Cardinals in dominating fashion in Week 11, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he wouldn't open up the practice window for still-injured wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this week.
It's been seemingly a weekly occurrence for Aiyuk, who is now well over a year removed from the devastating ACL and MCL tears suffered in October of 2024.
Then, in his Q&A mailbag heading into Week 12, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco was asked whether or not Aiyuk would ever be seen in a Niners uniform again in light of both the injury and hefty extension (one San Francisco openly disliked signing), to which the team insider responded as not being an overreactive take.
Maiocco echoed comments made by general manager John Lynch the previous week, specifically, "no absolutes," speaking directly to how comfortable the 49ers are with getting their top-paid receiver back onto the field, also saying:
"Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have not closed the door on Brandon Aiyuk’s return this season.
Their comments always seem to lean a little more on the positive side. But it appears as if they also realize Aiyuk might not step on the field this season."
After the Niners dropped 41 points on Arizona with a (mostly) healthy offense in light of quarterback Brock Purdy's return from a turf-toe injury, it's possible to understand why Aiyuk's would-be return is more of a bonus than a necessity. Especially with standouts like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall healthy.
As for Aiyuk's long-term outlook, though, Maiocco's comments are notably more provocative.
Brandon Aiyuk's long-term future with 49ers seems in doubt
Aiyuk's extension signed entering the 2024 season appeared to be the catalyst for last offseason's cost-cutting measures, highlighted by the trade of fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
With San Francisco's passing offense finally functioning well, it does appear as if Aiyuk is something of an excess commodity, and Maiocco didn't hesitate to call out the obvious:
"As for the future, Aiyuk is under contract through the 2028 season after signing a four-year, $120 million extension before the 2024 campaign. But, as we’ve learned with lucrative, long-term contracts in the NFL, there are no absolutes there, either.
That is why just about anything seems possible at this point."
The NBC Sports Bay Area insider didn't report the 49ers were interested in shopping Aiyuk this offseason, but he didn't shy away from the possibility either. And it's already been a talking point throughout the season anyway, clouded only by the fact the former first-round draftee's injury would get in the way of any serious trade chatter.
The Samuel transaction showed the Niners are willing to eat plenty of dead salary-cap space to save cash, and they may apply the same principle if cost-cutting measures remain a priority.
If that's the case, indeed, it's possible Aiyuk isn't just done for the season but has also played his final snap in a San Francisco uniform.