Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver trade target Brandon Aiyuk is heading for a messy divorce with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Mike Silver and Dianna Russini of the Athletic.
Russini and Silver say that Aiyuk has become increasingly distant and has not attended team meetings or other significant team activities. As a result, the 49ers have grown tired of Aiyuk’s behavior. He has been out for a year and has yet to return from a three-ligament knee injury.
While the clock was over a year, it has now been far beyond that, and Aiyuk’s return seems unlikely. Instead, he may sit out the entire year and exit after the 2025 season.
The team has incurred multiple fines towards Aiyuk about his demeanor and behavior towards the team. After doing so, they voided over $28 million in 2026 guarantees, and Aiyuk does not want the NFLPA to file a grievance towards it.
If that happens, it will mean that Aiyuk will become a free agent and subsequently end his time with the 49ers. He can be free to sign anywhere at that point.
Aiyuk was nearly traded to the Steelers during the 2024 offseason before a last-minute decision from Aiyuk to sign a four-year, $120 million deal to stay with the 49ers.
However, the hold-in process that led to that point never got smoothed over, and the 49ers were reportedly having buyer’s remorse during the offseason. Now, it seems they will separate and go different ways.
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