The San Francisco 49ers have had a major offseason thus far. With some huge additions, they are looking to take that next step to get back into the Super Bowl. However, they have a significant situation that is going on with one of the players on their roster. Let’s take a look at what one ESPN analyst wrote about the team and what they still need to do this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers need to resolve the Brandon Aiyuk situation
Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (in black hoodie) watches his teammates work out during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote an article breaking down each NFL team’s final offseason move they need to make. For the San Francisco 49ers, it was to clean up the situation with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Below is what Schatz wrote regarding the situation:
“Aiyuk is seemingly trying to goad the 49ers into cutting him, meanwhile the 49ers still hold out hope that they can get something in a trade. If Aiyuk leaves San Francisco, would he join his former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels in Washington? The Niners can put Aiyuk on various bureaucratic lists (did not report list, non-football injury list, etc.) to eep him off the field. Or he can force their hand by showing up for training camp and passing a physical. Somehow, this situation needs to end.”
Aiyuk has not played since the 2024 season before suffering a knee injury. Since being drafted with the 25th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk has recorded 294 catches on 446 targets for 4,305 yards (14.6 yards per reception) with 25 receiving touchdowns. However, it appears that the relationship between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the Niners has deteriorated to the point of being unfixable after a lack of communication.
San Francisco voided the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026 and 2027, while retaining the contract. However, Aiyuk seemingly does not want to play for the team, but the 49ers are not planning on trading him away. In recent weeks, Aiyuk has posted social media videos talking down the team. This could result in the San Francisco 49ers simply releasing Aiyuk, making him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any of the 31 NFL teams. It will be interesting to see if and how this situation is able to be settled.