49ers 'in no rush' to remove WR Brandon Aiyuk from roster

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says the team is not rushing to release the former first-round pick.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:23pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the complex dynamics at play in the 49ers' roster decisions.The 49ers' difficult decision to part ways with once-promising receiver Brandon Aiyuk reflects the unpredictable nature of professional sports.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers are in no hurry to release wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, despite the fact that his 2026 guaranteed money was voided last summer when he stopped showing up to rehab a torn ACL and MCL. Head coach Kyle Shanahan says the team is hoping to get something in exchange for Aiyuk, who led the 49ers with 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023 before his injury.

Why it matters

Aiyuk's contract situation is an unusual one, as Shanahan says he's never dealt with a voided contract in over 20 years of coaching. The 49ers are trying to get value for Aiyuk before parting ways, as they also expect to lose leading receiver Jauan Jennings in free agency this offseason.

The details

Aiyuk, 28, agreed to a 4-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers in August 2024. However, his 2026 guaranteed money was voided when he stopped showing up to the facility last summer to rehab a torn ACL and MCL sustained in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Over 5 NFL seasons, the former first-round pick has amassed 294 catches for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns.

  • In November 2025, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he had never dealt with a contract being voided in over 20 years of coaching.
  • In February 2026, 49ers GM John Lynch said Aiyuk would not be released until at least the start of the new league year on March 11.

The players

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who has over 20 years of coaching experience and is dealing with the unusual situation of Aiyuk's voided contract.

Brandon Aiyuk

A 28-year-old wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, who led the team with 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023 before suffering a torn ACL and MCL that voided the guaranteed money on his 4-year, $120 million contract extension.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who said the team would not release Aiyuk until at least the start of the new league year on March 11.

Jauan Jennings

A wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who is expected to depart in free agency this offseason after catching 210 passes for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns in 75 games with the team.

Mike Evans

A longtime wide receiver who the 49ers signed this offseason to help transform their receiving corps.

Christian Kirk

A veteran wide receiver who the 49ers also signed this offseason to help transform their receiving corps.

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What they’re saying

“I don't have a date. We're in no rush to do that.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

“I've been coaching over 20 years and I've never been in a situation where a contract's been voided. It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided. Never dealt with that.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

“Eventually, it will resolve itself. Hopefully, we get something for it.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

“He'll find a good home, and Jauan will go play great football for someone. I can't say enough for what that guy did; when that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence, and they had to deal with him, and he won us a lot of games.”

— John Lynch, General Manager, San Francisco 49ers

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.