Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract guarantees were recently revoked by the San Francisco 49ers, casting doubt on his future with the team.
This important decision is the result of the franchise’s claim that Aiyuk has broken the conditions of his contract due to his absence from team events and meetings.
Aiyuk’s Contract Background
In 2024, Brandon Aiyuk became one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL when he signed a lucrative four-year, $120 million agreement with the 49ers. Aiyuk’s contract was a major investment from the franchise, with an average yearly worth of $30 million. But after suffering a severe knee injury more than a year ago, which kept him out of action for the majority of the previous two seasons, his fortunes have taken a turn for the worse.
Voided Guarantees and Team Response
According to recent reports, Aiyuk has not engaged in a variety of team activities and has not been able to successfully interact with the company. The 49ers have voided his guaranteed pay for the 2026 season, including basic and roster bonuses and a possible $24.935 million option bonus, due to his lack of involvement.
Aiyuk’s absence, according to the 49ers, is a breach of contract that they are unable to ignore. As of right now, Aiyuk has made it clear through the NFL Players Association that he does not plan to challenge the ruling about his invalidated guarantees. This signals that he might be looking for possibilities with other franchises in the near future.
It seems more and more likely that the San Francisco 49ers will let go of Aiyuk given the current situation. Given that his contract has an opt-out clause after 2026, both sides appear to be leaning towards a split, which would be a major change in Aiyuk’s professional path. As he overcomes these recent obstacles, this gifted receiver’s future is now in jeopardy.