In recent weeks, things have gotten ugly between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Once considered one of the team's valuable weapons, the 27-year-old playmaker seems to be writing his own ticket out of town.
According to a report by NFL insiders Dianna Russini and Michael Silver, Aiyuk has "failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities," which has led the 49ers to void his 2026 guaranteed contract. In essence, the relationship between Aiyuk and the team has turned acrimonious.
"Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance," the reporters pointed ou t in their story. "That would clear the way for his expected release at season's end."
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Aikuk to Arizona?
Following up on the grumblings in the Bay Area, Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox speculated whether the Arizona Cardinals would be a good fit for Aiyuk if he is, indeed, let go by the 'Niners at season's end.
"Arizona lacks a high-end No. 2 receiver opposite Marvin Harrison Jr. Aiyuk's combination of size (6'0", 200 lbs), speed, and explosiveness would give the Cardinals more flexibility in an offense that boasts Harrison and tight end Trey McBride."
The pairing with Harrison, Jr is is certainly intriguing, and could resurrect the career of Cards QB Kyler Murray. The team is in a situation where they have to decide if they want to start over with a new signal caller or if they still want to try to win in the short term with Murray. Bringing in Aiyuk would be a sign that the team hasn't given up on the former number-one overall pick, and it could re-energize the Arizona offense.