49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Has a Stern Response to Brandon Aiyuk’s Ongoing Contract Saga

Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t started for the San Francisco 49ers since he sustained an ACL and MCL injury in the 2024 Week 7 matchup.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Has a Stern Response to Brandon Aiyuk’s Ongoing Contract Saga

Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Shanahan (images via Getty Images)

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The San Francisco 49ers recently voided $27 million in 2026 guarantees from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract. The Niners explained the whys of the action and hinted that Aiyuk’s reluctance to meet contract terms, possibly related to participation in required rehab and team activities, might be why his contract was voided.

Needless to say, the decision from the San Francisco 49ers management was a bit of a shock to the fans. However, they weren’t the only ones left dumfounded. It was also the Niners’ head coach, Kyle Shanahan, who admitted that this was the first time in his two-decade-long coaching career when a player’s contract had been voided.

I’ve been coaching over 20 years, and I’ve never been in a situation where a contract’s been voided. It’s extremely unusual to me. It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided. Honestly, I’ve never dealt with that in my career or been in any building that’s had that. So it was unusual, but that’s stuff that I can’t get into right now.

Kyle Shanahan said to reporters

Shanahan dismissed several notions that the reporters pitched to him as speculation about what led to the management decision to void the 2026 guarantees of Aiyuk. However, he hinted that the major speculation has more substance than missing some rehabilitation and team activities.

As of now, Brandon Aiyuk remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and has not been medically cleared after his injury. On being questioned about a potential return, Shanahan admitted that he doesn’t have an answer for the media and the fans.

Though Aiyuk is not required to be present at all team meetings, the communication gap suggests that there’s a widening gap developing between the team and the player. Shanahan added a few more details with regards the current nature of Aiyuk’s condition.

I can’t tell you that. I am not getting much dialogue just personally between him and I, and I’ve been told that it’s week-to-week, so each week, I wait to see if he’s ready to come back for practice, and I haven’t got that answer yet.

Shanahan added

San Francisco 49ers face the Carolina Panthers in crucial home game on Monday

The NFC West has shaped up to be one of the most interesting divisions this season, with the Seattle Seahawks picking up a win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the division leaders Los Angeles Rams, picked up a win against the recently scuffling Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.

San Francisco 49ers' head coach Kyle Shanahan
San Francisco 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan (Image via Athlon Sports)

That means the Niners are third in the division despite a respectable 7-4 record in the season. They are currently seventh in the conference, with the Detroit Lions (7-4) and the Carolina Panthers (6-5) closely following them.

The Lions braved stiff competition from the New York Giants before they took control in the final minutes and eliminated the Big Blue from the postseason in overtime. Week 12 so far has been devoid of the major upsets that the fans in the Bay Area expected, except for a Philly loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

As things get tighter with the playoffs closing in, the Niners have a long stretch where every result will matter. As they host the Panthers on Monday, they have a home advantage and much more control over their fate.

The Niners can have an 82% chance of making the playoffs if they win the game against the Panthers, but at the same time, it could drop to 62% if they somehow lose. The implications of the game for a potential playoff appearance are very high.

All said and done, for a team that’s been riddled with injuries to several starters, the Niners are doing better than most.

With Brock Purdy set for his first back-to-back start, he’s already developed a quick rhythm with George Kittle, something the 49ers will want to exploit. They’ll also have Christian McCaffrey facing his former team for the first time since the 2022 trade. The Niners have a lot going on, and they’ll hope all that’s going on is good.

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