GM Lynch: Aiyuk has played last snap for 49ers

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has declared that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will not return to the team, concluding a contentious chapter that saw the player miss the entire 2025 season after a series of disputes and a severe knee injury. At a Wednesday end-of-season news conference, 49ers GM John Lynch made it clear that Brandon Aiyuk’s tenure with the franchise is over. “I think it’s safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners,” Lynch stated, addressing reporters four days after San Francisco’s playoff exit. This announcement formalizes what has been anticipated for months, as Aiyuk’s relationship with the team deteriorated following a 2024 contract extension. The receiver did not play a single snap in 2025 and has been absent from team activities, leading to the voiding of future guarantees in his contract. Aiyuk, drafted 25th overall in 2020, was once a key contributor for the 49ers, helping them reach the Super Bowl in 2023 with a career-high 1,342 receiving yards. However, his fortunes changed after signing a four-year, $120 million extension in August 2024. Almost immediately, tensions arose, including a public disagreement over practice attire in September 2024. On the field, Aiyuk struggled early in the 2024 season, averaging only 58.5 yards per game with no touchdowns before suffering a catastrophic knee injury in October. The injury, which tore the ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee, ended Aiyuk’s 2024 season and complicated the 49ers’ plans. Despite hopes to trade him last offseason, the injury made a deal impractical. Matters worsened in 2025 when Aiyuk skipped multiple rehab sessions, prompting the team to void approximately $27 million in guarantees for 2026. Coach Kyle Shanahan noted that he had never encountered a situation where a player’s contract was voided in his over two decades of coaching. Communication broke down completely as Aiyuk stopped showing up and cut off contact with the team. Shanahan described attempts to reach him as futile, saying, “I’d say it officially stopped for me when the last time I tried to get ahold of him and couldn’t.” This led to the 49ers placing Aiyuk on the reserve/left team list in December 2025, ensuring he would not play at all that season. Lynch admitted confusion over Aiyuk’s actions, stating, “I wish I knew… can’t help you there.” Financially, moving on from Aiyuk presents challenges for the 49ers. Releasing him will incur nearly $30 million in dead money on the salary cap, though they could use a post-June 1 designation to spread the hit. A trade is possible but unlikely due to his contract and injury history. Lynch emphasized that parting ways will provide cap flexibility, which is crucial with other receivers like Jauan Jennings hitting free agency and Ricky Pearsall dealing with injuries. The 49ers must now focus on rebuilding their receiving corps without Aiyuk. His departure marks the end of an era for a player who showed promise but became embroiled in controversy. For Aiyuk, the future is uncertain; at 27, he faces questions about his health and willingness to engage with a new team. The saga serves as a cautionary tale about contract negotiations and player-team relationships in the NFL. In summary, John Lynch’s confirmation closes the book on Brandon Aiyuk’s time with the 49ers, highlighting issues that transcended on-field performance. As San Francisco looks ahead to the offseason, the focus shifts to managing cap space and developing young talent, while Aiyuk’s next steps remain to be seen in what could be a defining moment for his career.