Brandon Aiyuk's NFL Future Stalls in San Francisco Limbo
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The 49ers wide receiver remains under contract as training camp begins, but a self-imposed exile and voided guarantees have stripped his leverage.
The San Francisco 49ers report to training camp this weekend with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still under contract, though the 2023 second team All-Pro remains in professional limbo. According to CBS Sports, Aiyuk was placed on the reserve/left squad list in December 2025 after going AWOL, a move that prevents him from playing or receiving pay and freezes his contract.
Aiyuk's current predicament follows a series of contentious events. After signing a four-year, $120 million extension in August 2024, Aiyuk suffered tears to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus seven games into the 2024 season. CBS Sports reports that the 49ers explored a trade during the 2025 offseason, but found a soft market due to the knee injury. In July 2025, the team voided $27 million in 2026 salary guarantees, likely due to Aiyuk breaching his contract by refusing to report to training camp early for injury rehab, as required by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Despite the 49ers retaining his contractual rights, Aiyuk has vowed via 49ers Web Zone that he will not do business with the team or reinstate with them. CBS Sports notes that Aiyuk reportedly has not started the reinstatement process required by the NFL Constitution and Bylaws for players on the reserve/left squad list. Without this process, Aiyuk cannot move to another team.
Adding to the friction, Aiyuk blamed his former agent, Ryan Williams of Athletes First—who also represents 49ers general manager John Lynch—for his issues with the franchise. Aiyuk has also alleged that the NFLPA engaged in a smear campaign against him, though he informed the union he did not wish to fight the voiding of his guarantees.