Remember how the San Francisco 49ers were close to trading Brandon Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing him to a four-year, $120 million contract extension last August? Yeah, so we're guessing they wish they had just gone ahead and shipped him across the country, given all the extra drama that has played out since.
Less than two months after signing that lucrative extension, of course, Aiyuk tore the ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee in the Niners' Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. With an injury that severe, San Francisco obviously knew the recovery process would take some time, which is why it wasn't surprising when the 27-year-old started this 2025 season on the PUP list.
But it's been more than 13 months now since Aiyuk went down, and he still hasn't been medically cleared to even practice. Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL in his right knee nearly two months after Aiyuk's injury, has been back on the field with America's Team for three games now.
Everyone heals differently, of course, but according to a scathing report from Jay Glazer, Aiyuk hasn't been "doing what he's supposed to do in his rehab," which seems to be why San Francisco voided the guarantees in his contract for the 2026 season back in July, specifically, a $24.9 million option bonus. What's wild is that while the NFLPA would typically file a grievance for something like this, Aiyuk wanted no part of doing so.
Glazer believes Aiyuk has played his last game in a 49ers uniform but also opined that when the 2023 Second-Team All-Pro actually does get cleared, which could be soon, that "it's up to Brandon" if he wants to take the field. But if he hasn't been wanting to show up to the appointments he's apparently already missed, one can only assume he has no interest in taking the field. That's mere speculation, of course, but that's the feeling going around right now.
If Aiyuk does get cleared and still refuses to suit up, he'd obviously be making a massive mistake, and Richard Sherman agrees.
"So, if you’re Brandon Aiyuk, and you’re like, 'I don’t want to help this team,' OK. But helping them helps you," Sherman said on a recent episode of his podcast. "So, going out there and being the best possible receiver you can be, being you are the receiver you were when the San Francisco 49ers paid you $30 million a year, only helps your case even if you want to go somewhere.
"Sitting out does not. Sitting out puts your pride before your pocket. And if you put your pride before your pocket, that’s something I cannot understand because it doesn’t help your family, it doesn’t help you, and it doesn’t help the point you’re trying to prove. That’s the point I don’t get."
Nobody else really gets it either, Richard. But that's where things are right now. All signs are pointing to a messy divorce between the two sides this offseason, which would now cost the Niners a lot less money, given the voids, but it's not as if they won't incur some dead money if they release or trade him.
If released, Aiyuk would undoubtedly find a new home, given his talent level, but he certainly won't be getting $30 million per season, as he's certainly now going to be viewed as a potential headache. So, we'll just have to wait and see how this saga plays out.
In the meantime, those who are actually on the field for the 49ers are in the midst of a push toward the postseason, which continues on Sunday with a matchup against Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns.