The 49ers wide receiver room is in the midsts of a massive makeover.
San Francisco signed former Cardinals and Texans receiver Christian Kirk to a one-year, $6 million contract as they look to prepare for life without Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, whose contract they are seeking to void for not showing up to injury rehab over the past year, is currently on the 49ers roster as they sort through the complicated contract situation.
The 49ers are also in the process of voiding Aiyuk’s guaranteed money so they can release him from his contract more easily and avoid a massive dead cap hit.
Aiyuk staying on the 49ers roster with free agency in full steam will limit his options if and when he does get released.
Richard Sherman, a former 49er under head coach Kyle Shanahan, prefers that Aiyuk be traded instead of outright released.
“No tape for this season. His contract right now is for almost 30 million dollars a year,” Sherman explained on his eponymous podcast after Aiyuk missed all of last season recovering from a torn ACL.
“If they cut him, his contract is torn up and somebody is gonna re-sign him for one year— prove-it kind of deal for 6, 7 or $8 million a year, up to 12… If they trade him, his contract trades to whatever team he goes to. If I’m Brandon Aiyuk, I’d want to be in that situation where I’m being traded on the contract I already have. Would you rather be cut and have to convince a team you’re worth $30 million a year, or get traded under the contract you already signed? If you can get a seventh-round pick, I think that works in both the 49ers best business interest and Brandon Aiyuk’s best business interest.””
After a lengthy holdout and tenuous contract negotiation, Aiyuk finally signed a four-year $120 million contract in late August 2024, which included $76 million in guarantees and $50 million guaranteed at signing.
Aiyuk tore his ACL just weeks into the season and hasn’t been seen much from since, after which Shanahan called the situation “extremely unusual” with Aiyuk apparently having stopped showing up to rehab.
Assuming Aiyuk is released, he will become a free agent where he can sign with any team, though he will have missed out on the remaining money on his huge contract.
Aiyuk, 28, had a career year in 2023, notching 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns while with San Francisco before they eventually lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers’ receiver room now includes Kirk, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and DeMarcus Robinson.
San Francisco has already lost Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore, while Jauan Jennings remains a free agent and appears to be on his way out of the Golden City.