The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly preparing to part ways with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, a move that would formally end a once-promising partnership less than two years after the player signed a massive contract extension. According to ESPN reporter Nick Wagoner, the 49ers plan to release Aiyuk now that the NFL’s new league year has begun, likely using a post–June 1 designation to manage the financial impact.
“With the new league year set to begin today, the #49ers plan to release WR Brandon Aiyuk,” Wagoner said, per CBS Sports. The post–June 1 structure would allow the team to spread the remaining cap consequences across multiple seasons rather than taking the full hit in one year.
If the expected release becomes official, Aiyuk would enter free agency and immediately become available to teams looking to add depth at receiver.
Early discussion around potential landing spots has included the Washington Commanders, where familiarity within the front office and prior on-field connections could make the transition easier.
The reported decision represents a dramatic reversal from August 2024, when the 49ers agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension with Aiyuk. At the time, the deal signaled that San Francisco intended to keep the former first-round pick as a central piece of its offensive future.
However, that trajectory shifted quickly after a major knee injury during the 2024 season. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL just months after signing the extension, forcing him out for the remainder of the year and complicating his return the following season.
During the 2025 campaign, the situation between the player and the organization reportedly grew strained amid missed team activities and uncertainty surrounding his rehabilitation timeline.
Team leadership later acknowledged the widening gap. General manager John Lynch indicated that the receiver’s time with the franchise had likely come to an end, saying it was “safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners.”
Aiyuk’s absence from the team also unfolded against a backdrop of unusual headlines. Earlier reports noted that the receiver had been described as “distant” following his injury, and he drew attention after posting a video online showing himself driving at extremely high speeds near Levi’s Stadium.
Before the injuries and off-field attention reshaped his trajectory, Aiyuk had built a strong résumé in San Francisco. From 2020 through 2023, he totaled 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns, highlighted by a 1,342-yard season in 2023 that earned him second-team All-Pro honors.