The San Francisco 49ers made some major news before their Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers. Brandon Aiyuk has been recovering from his injury all season, and now, he's not expected to come back to the team in 2025.
But that's not all, Aiyuk is also uncertain about the future. After the 49ers waived his 2026 guarantees, and Aiyuk didn't fight it, there's a strong chance that the 2024 season was Aiyuk's last in a 49ers uniform.
For head coach Kyle Shanahan, this is a tough loss. Aiyuk was a big part of the offense in 2022 and 2023, and now he's not expected to be on the team going forward. But, as Underdog NFL shared, Shanahan has some different thoughts on Aiyuk's future.
49ers' Kyle Shanahan reveals he wants Brandon Aiyuk back for 2026 despite uncertainty
"When it comes to the future of this," Shanahan said of Aiyuk's status for 2026, "I would love for BA to be here."
The 49ers waiving Aiyuk's guarantees for 2026 are a strong indicator that the two sides are heading towards a split this upcoming offseason.
There's no official cut or trade, but all of the signs are pointing towards Aiyuk departing the 49ers just a year and a half after signing a huge $120 million, four-year extension.
He played in just seven games in 2024 before sustaining a season-ending injury, and in the recovery process, Aiyuk hasn't participated in meetings or other team activities.
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Aiyuk is 27 years old, and while this knee injury is a tricky one to recover from, he should be more than capable of returning to the 49ers and playing a role.
But, not only have the 49ers soured on Aiyuk based on their decision to waive his guarantees, but Aiyuk has soured on the 49ers based on his willingness not to fight back with an official grievance.
Despite all of that smoke between the two sides, Shanahan is still hopeful that Aiyuk could return. He stopped Aiyuk from being traded and has shown support for Aiyuk.
But the 49ers and Aiyuk look to be heading in different directions, despite Shanahan hoping the two sides can make up for a return in 2026.
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- 49ers' Kyle Shanahan provides injury update on Brandon Aiyuk after Week 11
- 49ers' Mac Jones expected to draw trade interest, according to NFL insider