49ers Sign Christian Kirk as Brandon Aiyuk Drama Continues

San Francisco bolsters receiving corps amid Aiyuk's contract dispute and injury issues.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:09pm by Ben Kaplan

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The San Francisco 49ers have signed former Cardinals and Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk to a one-year, $6 million contract as they look to reshape their receiving corps. This move comes as the team seeks to void the guaranteed money in Brandon Aiyuk's contract after he missed the entire 2025 season recovering from a torn ACL and reportedly stopped showing up for injury rehab.

Why it matters

The 49ers are making significant changes to their wide receiver group, which was a strength of the team in recent seasons. The Aiyuk situation has become complicated, with the team looking to part ways with the talented but injury-prone receiver. Signing Kirk provides an experienced option as the 49ers prepare for life without Aiyuk, who was a key part of their offense.

The details

The 49ers are in the process of voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's four-year, $120 million contract that he signed in 2024. This would allow the team to release him more easily and avoid a large dead cap hit. Former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has suggested the team should try to trade Aiyuk instead, as that would allow him to keep his existing contract. Meanwhile, the 49ers have also lost Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore from their receiving corps, while Jauan Jennings remains a free agent.

  • In late August 2024, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the 49ers.
  • Aiyuk tore his ACL just weeks into the 2025 season and has not been seen much since.
  • In March 2026, the 49ers signed Christian Kirk to a one-year, $6 million deal.

The players

Christian Kirk

A former wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, Kirk has now signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Brandon Aiyuk

A wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who signed a four-year, $120 million contract in 2024 but missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL and has reportedly stopped showing up for injury rehab, leading the 49ers to seek to void the guaranteed money in his contract.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who is overseeing the team's efforts to reshape its receiving corps.

Richard Sherman

A former cornerback for the 49ers who has suggested the team should try to trade Aiyuk rather than release him outright.

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What they’re saying

“If they cut him, his contract is torn up and somebody is gonna re-sign him for one year— prove-it kind of deal for 6, 7 or $8 million a year, up to 12… If they trade him, his contract trades to whatever team he goes to. If I'm Brandon Aiyuk, I'd want to be in that situation where I'm being traded on the contract I already have.”

— Richard Sherman, Former 49ers Cornerback (Richard Sherman's Podcast)

What’s next

The 49ers will continue to work through the Aiyuk situation, either voiding his contract and releasing him or potentially trading him to another team.

The takeaway

The 49ers are making significant changes to their receiving corps, with the Aiyuk situation becoming increasingly complicated. Signing Christian Kirk provides an experienced option as the team prepares for life without Aiyuk, who was a key part of their offense in recent seasons.