The ongoing fallout between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remains a puzzling storyline. As the organization prepares to move forward without the veteran receiver, debate continues over how the relationship deteriorated. A prominent voice close to the team is pushing back against the narrative surrounding Aiyuk.
Grant Cohn Pushes Back on Narrative Surrounding Brandon Aiyuk
Grant Cohn, 49ers reporter for SI, defended the wide receiver in a post on X, arguing that the public criticism of Aiyuk overlooks key details of the situation.
The breakdown between Aiyuk and the 49ers did not happen overnight. Injuries, contract disputes, and communication issues slowly turned this into a complicated standoff. Cohn addressed that perception on X.
“Brandon Aiyuk didn’t quit on the 49ers. They voided his guarantees, and he still returned to the team from July to October because he wanted to play,” Cohn wrote. “They never cleared him. They didn’t want him to play. When that was clear, he left. He’s not the bad guy.”
San Francisco’s front office has already signaled that Aiyuk’s tenure with the team is effectively over, and the club is expected to finalize a move away from the receiver at some point during the offseason.
Brandon Aiyuk didn’t quit on the 49ers. They voided his guarantees, and he still returned to the team from July to October because he wanted to play. They never cleared him. They didn’t want him to play. When that was clear, he left. He’s not the bad guy.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) March 16, 2026
The shift is striking considering how central Aiyuk once appeared to the franchise’s offensive plans. His precise route running and big-play ability made him a major part of the 49ers’ passing attack.
That production included back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, along with 15 combined touchdowns during that span. In 2023, he posted a PFSN NFL WR Impact score of 92.7. San Francisco reinforced that belief with a four-year, $120 million contract extension.
The trajectory changed in October 2024 when Aiyuk suffered a severe knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury involved a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus and ended his season after just seven games. He finished the year with 25 receptions for 374 yards before beginning a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Aiyuk did not appear during the 2025 season due to the recovery taking longer than expected. During that time, the team eventually voided the guaranteed portion of his 2026 salary after determining that certain contractual participation requirements tied to meetings and communication were not met.
Those developments shifted the leverage dramatically in the 49ers’ favor. With the guarantees removed, the organization gained flexibility to hold Aiyuk’s contract while exploring possible trade options.
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Spotrac lists Aiyuk’s 2026 cap hit at $15.39 million. A pre-June 1 transaction would create roughly $29.59 million in dead cap, while a post-June 1 designation would split that charge between the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
San Francisco has the option to wait through the draft or into the early summer to see whether another team becomes interested in acquiring the receiver.
Cohn’s defense highlights the competing narratives surrounding Aiyuk’s exit. The 49ers appear ready to close the chapter. The conversation about how the relationship unraveled is still ongoing.
