Overview
- Aiyuk will be moved off the roster after GM John Lynch said it is safe to say the receiver has played his last snap as a Niner, with a transaction to come in due time.
- Aiyuk did not play in 2025 after tearing his ACL and MCL in October 2024 and spending the season on the physically unable to perform list.
- Team officials said Aiyuk stopped attending meetings and communicating with the club, leading to the voiding of his 2026 guarantees and a reserve/left-squad designation in December.
- Releasing or trading Aiyuk would carry an estimated $29.6 million dead-cap charge, per cap analyses cited by Reuters, with post-June 1 mechanisms affecting the timing of the hit.
- The prolonged absence and split underline a need at wide receiver after an underpowered 2025 group that the 49ers plan to address this offseason.