The story on the San Francisco 49ers’ impending split with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk isn’t fully written just yet, but one NFL insider tried providing some explanation for the falling out.
A report surfaced from the Athletic before Week 12 that the 49ers waived Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees and paved the way for his release in the offseason. Even more strange than that, NBC Sports Bay Area reported the guarantees were waived in July. Even more strange than that, the Athletic reported Aiyuk wouldn’t appeal the decision. It’s a story that isn’t quite adding up with the pieces laid out.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday offered a little insight with a report about a situation that “feels far from over.”
Via ESPN:
A few people I’ve checked with believe an issue was Aiyuk’s failure to show up for rehab appointments during the offseason. Either he didn’t trust the trainers or didn’t want to show up. Either way, an unwillingness to properly rehab a significant knee injury as the team sees fit is typically easy grounds for a guarantee void.
Fowler also reported the disgruntled WR will have suitors in the free agent market next offseason if he doesn’t want to rework his deal to make it tradeable.
It would make sense that this was the impetus behind the guarantees being waived, but it’s hard to imagine that a year after signing Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract that San Francisco would be so eager to pull a move that opened the door for him to leave for nothing. If they were unhappy with him or his contract, it would’ve been more logical to try and build up his trade value to move him as early as possible. If Aiyuk was unhappy with the team, it would’ve made more sense for him to attack his rehab correctly to build his trade value without losing out on his contract.
Even if he has suitors in the free agent market, he isn’t liable to get close to as much money as he would’ve gotten had he taken steps to keep his 49ers contract intact.
This is a very odd situation and while Fowler’s report makes sense, it doesn’t quite connect the dots. There has to be more coming on this story.
More 49ers: 49ers injury situation not improving much entering Week 13
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL insider’s reason 49ers waived $24.9 million in guarantees for WR
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
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