49ers' Brandon Aiyuk needs a change of scenery more than any player in NFL

The relationship between Aiyuk and the 49ers organization has deteriorated to the point where the wide receiver has essentially left the team already.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Brandon Aiyuk, the wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, is in need of a change of scenery more than any other player in the NFL. Aiyuk and the 49ers organization have had a strained relationship in recent years, including issues with his contract and behavior. This year, things came to a head when Aiyuk did not show up during his injury recovery, leading the team to waive his 2026 contract guarantees and setting up his release this offseason.

Why it matters

The 49ers are entering the 2026 offseason with a need at wide receiver, as Jauan Jennings is hitting free agency and Ricky Pearsall has not been consistent enough. Aiyuk's departure will leave a significant hole in the team's receiving corps, and the organization will need to find a replacement either through the draft or free agency.

The details

According to ESPN's Aaron Schatz, Aiyuk has "basically left the team already," and 49ers general manager John Lynch has publicly stated that Aiyuk has played his last snap for San Francisco. The relationship between Aiyuk and the 49ers organization has deteriorated due to issues with his contract leading up to the 2024 season and his behavior, including "whether he wears the right shorts on the practice field." This year, the situation came to a head when Aiyuk did not show up during his injury recovery, leading the team to waive his 2026 contract guarantees and setting up his release this offseason.

  • In 2025, Aiyuk did not show up for the 49ers.
  • The 49ers waived Aiyuk's 2026 contract guarantees, setting up his release this offseason.

The players

Brandon Aiyuk

A wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who has had a strained relationship with the organization and is set to be released this offseason.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who has publicly stated that Aiyuk has played his last snap for the team.

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What’s next

The 49ers will need to find a replacement for Aiyuk either through the draft or free agency this offseason.

The takeaway

The deteriorating relationship between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers organization has reached a point where the wide receiver has essentially left the team, highlighting the need for a change of scenery more than any other player in the NFL.