49ers GM shuts the door on Brandon Aiyuk reunion

49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

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Matthew Couden

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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The San Francisco 49ers' season ended in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, with a humiliating 41-6 loss to their division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.

Not only did the team's defense struggle to prevent the Seahawks from scoring, but Seattle also limited the 49ers' offense to just two field goals and couldn't do much with either the passing or the running game.

That loss occurred without several of their key roster members, including George Kittle and Fred Warner, both out due to injuries. However, it seems likely that the team will see both of these players back in action for a run next season.

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Meanwhile, the 49ers' future for Brandon Aiyuk seems official, as the team's general manager shut down any notion of him playing for the team after his season-ending injury.

49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

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On Wednesday, John Lynch spoke with the press, fielding questions about his team's past season and direction heading forward. A question regarding Aiyuk popped up, and Lynch suggested there is a decision on the way.

"It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap as a Niner," Lynch told reporters.

Lynch called it “an unfortunate situation that just went awry” while seated next to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. He also indicated a transaction involving Aiyuk would "come in due time."

San Francisco drafted Aiyuk at No. 25 overall in the 2020 draft, and he soon became a valuable part of the offense, achieving Second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 as the team's leading receiver. That season, he tallied 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 receptions.

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In 2024, he signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the team. Unfortunately, his season came to a disappointing end, as he tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ahead of the 2025 season, the 49ers placed him on the PUP list, anticipating that he’d eventually work his way back to playing after the injuries. However, that never occurred, and the team voided the guaranteed money in his 2026 contract because of his lack of participation.

Last month, the team put him on their reserve/left squad list, and the more recent remarks from Lynch suggest that Aiyuk’s time with the San Francisco 49ers is over, as they have other talented receivers, including veterans Demarcus Robinson and Jauan Jennings.