The tumult surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers doesn't seem to be going away despite several attempts by both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to bury it.
And the latest comments by Lynch don't exactly paint a great picture either.
Aiyuk, of course, hasn't played since October of 2024 when he suffered a devastating ACL and MCL tear, plus additional damage to his knee. Combined with a lucrative contract extension the Niners immediately regretted the previous offseason, followed by a voiding of his 2026 guarantees, Aiyuk's long-term future in the Bay Area is in serious doubt.
Still, there has been a steady hope the 2020 first-round draftee could return in some capacity this season, beefing up what's been an ever-changing wide receiver room that has also dealt with no shortage of injury problems.
Except, week after week, San Francisco has opted not to open up Aiyuk's practice window.
According to Lynch, it sure seems as if the receiver could miss the entirety of 2025.
John Lynch's latest comments on Brandon Aiyuk don't paint promising picture
Speaking on KNBR 680's Murph & Markus Show, Lynch was asked if there was still a chance for Aiyuk to take the field this season despite all the controversy surrounding his relationship with the team right now.
Lynch's response wasn't exactly promising, especially if you read between the lines.
"Realistic, I'm not sure. Hopeful, yeah," Lynch responded when asked if there was a realistic shot of Aiyuk returning this year. "I think that's where I'd leave that... We're a better football team when Brandon's out there, but that's probably what it is, hope right now."
This isn't necessarily a new sentiment. Not long ago, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco shared how both Lynch and Shanahan remain hopeful for an Aiyuk return, yet both appear to "realize Aiyuk might not step on the field this season."
Combined with the speculation about his future with the Niners beyond 2025, it wouldn't be surprising if fans never saw Aiyuk back in the red and gold at all.