With the surprising report that the San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are likely expected to mutually part ways at season's end, it shouldn't serve as much of a shock that head coach Kyle Shanahan has chimed in on the matter.
Given that Aiyuk is coming off of a major injury and now, at least for the outside world looking on, learning that the 49ers have already voided over $26 million in guaranteed money in 2026 for the 27-year-old star wideout, it would seem relatively unreasonable to think that Aiyuk would choose to take the field again this season in a Niners uniform.
But that hasn't stopped Shanahan from expressing hope that his beloved No. 11 might do that very thing, and help the resilient 7-4 club make a strong push for the playoffs in the team's remaining six games.
Yes, regardless of the increasingly unusual situation, Shanahan still appears to have strong expectations for Aiyuk as it pertains to this crucial stretch run of the 2025 NFL season.
"Hoping he [Aiyuk] can clear all the markers so he can come back and start his practice window," Shanahan said.
While that's an incredibly optimistic approach to take under such unique and bleak circumstances, Shanahan also sounded well aware that this is not exactly standard practice.
"I've been coaching over 20 years, and I've never been in a situation where a contract's been voided. So it was extremely unusual to me," Shanahan continued. "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."
While offering what seemed like an understanding voice on the delicate matter, Shanahan also stated that the news of Aiyuk's dire contract situation for 2026 "doesn’t have anything to do with the future."
Whether or not Aiyuk plays another down for the 49ers, the future is essentially now for a 49ers team currently on the edge of the NFC playoff picture.