The San Francisco 49ers will have an interesting decision to make in the middle of the 2026 NFL season, and it has nothing to do with the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
As the 49ers look for wide receiver help, Brandon Aiyuk is attempting to return to the NFL. He is filing for reinstatement with the league and plans to show up at the 49ers’ training facility on Friday.
But what are the 49ers’ plans with Aiyuk amid his plan to make an NFL comeback? Mike Garafolo of NFL Network shared that Kyle Shanahan made it clear that Aiyuk is not in the team’s plans at all.
Kyle Shanahan reveals 49ers plans for Brandon Aiyuk
“49ers HC Kyle Shanahan asked of his expectation for WR Brandon Aiyuk: ‘None. I have no expectation. I’ve kind of moved on with that mentally.’ Reiterates what he said in September, that Aiyuk is not an option for the team anymore,” Garafolo reports.
While Aiyuk is trying to make a comeback to the NFL, the 49ers have no interest in making him a part of the team going forward.
After the falling out between the 49ers and Aiyuk last season, the 49ers have zero plans to make him a part of the offense this season.
That shouldn’t be a surprise, especially considering the offseason headache Aiyuk was for the 49ers, with his consistent posting on social media about a desire to play for the Washington Commanders.
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Since he didn’t file for reinstatement, the 49ers didn’t have to do anything with Aiyuk this season. But now, they will have to make a decision.
Unsurprisingly, that decision will involve the release of Aiyuk. It would be a shocker if any team were to actually spend any draft or player capital on a trade for Aiyuk, leaving the 49ers no choice but to cut him this season.
Shanahan is making it clear the 49ers will not bring back Aiyuk, even though the team has some questions about the WR room. Aiyuk is not going to be a member of the 49ers again, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s cut.
