49ers Shut Down Brandon Aiyuk for Season, Future With Team Now Uncertain

Key Points

• The San Francisco 49ers have placed WR Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, ending his season.
• Aiyuk has been absent since October due to a knee injury and missed team activities earlier in the year.
• His four‑year, $120 million extension now carries no guaranteed money, making an offseason split possible.
• Kyle Shanahan says the team has adapted without Aiyuk, with other receivers stepping up.
• Aiyuk’s long‑term future in San Francisco remains unclear as the 49ers push toward the postseason.

Aiyuk’s Season Ends as 49ers Make Roster Decision

The San Francisco 49ers have officially placed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, ending his season and raising new questions about his future with the franchise. Head coach Kyle Shanahan described the move as straightforward, noting that Aiyuk’s extended absence has not hindered the team’s performance.

Aiyuk has not played since October due to a knee injury and had been away from the team for more than a month before the announcement.

A Complicated Year Leads to a Difficult Outcome

Aiyuk’s situation began deteriorating earlier in the year, when he skipped offseason activities and missed mandatory meetings — decisions that voided the guaranteed money in his contract for next season. Although Shanahan had previously expressed hope that Aiyuk might return, the latest roster move officially rules him out for the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

The receiver signed a four‑year, $120 million extension last summer, but with no guaranteed money remaining, the 49ers now have flexibility to move on from him in the offseason.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that it’s gone to this point,” Shanahan said, acknowledging his long relationship with Aiyuk while remaining non‑committal about what comes next.

A Look Back at Aiyuk’s Production

Aiyuk delivered a standout performance in 2023, finishing with 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns, earning second‑team All‑Pro honors. But before his injury this season, he managed just 25 catches for 374 yards.

Across the last two seasons, he has earned roughly $48 million in salary.

49ers’ Depth Shines in Aiyuk’s Absence

Despite losing one of their top playmakers, the 49ers — now 10‑4 — have continued to thrive. In their recent win over the Tennessee Titans, Jauan Jennings hauled in two touchdowns, while Ricky Pearsall added six catches for 96 yards, showcasing the team’s depth at receiver.

Shanahan said he would have welcomed Aiyuk’s return but never built the team’s strategy around it. “That would have been a great bonus… but I realized early on it wasn’t going to come for a while,” he said.

What Happens Next?

With Aiyuk sidelined for the season and his contract offering no financial protections, the 49ers face a pivotal offseason decision. For now, the team remains focused on its playoff push, while Aiyuk’s future in San Francisco grows increasingly uncertain.