As the 2026 offseason kicks into gear, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves at a crossroads with several intriguing narratives unfolding. Among the most captivating is the situation surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, who sat out the entire season due to a contract dispute, appears to be on the brink of leaving the team. In fact, ESPN's Bill Barnwell has emphasized that it would be "truly shocking" if Aiyuk remained with the 49ers next season.
The rift between Aiyuk and the 49ers has been brewing ever since the team hesitated to offer the 2020 first-round pick a contract extension. The relationship soured further after Aiyuk's torn ACL in 2024 and a series of peculiar incidents in 2025, making his departure seem inevitable.
Aiyuk's decision to waive his contract for the 2026 season only adds to the speculation that he will be cut this offseason. Given last season's challenges, where he managed just 374 yards and no touchdowns over seven games before injury struck, teams might be hesitant to trade for him despite his impressive 1,342-yard campaign in 2023.
Regardless of the final outcome, whether through a trade or a release, the 49ers are poised to part ways with Aiyuk. This move aligns with their pressing need to bolster their wide receiver corps, making it almost certain that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch will take decisive action this offseason.