Why 49ers delaying Brandon Aiyuk's departure is about business, not breakup revenge
The San Francisco 49ers have no intention of keeping Brandon Aiyuk after the receiver's falling-out with the organization last year. But they have incentives to move slowly in parting with him.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had a protracted falling-out with the 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan, one that general manager John Lynch will result in Aiyuk's eventual departure. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle) Brandon Aiyuk remains a member of the San Francisco 49ers . Some who expected the team to cut him sooner believe the delay is the result of ill will.
The reality: The 49ers don't need to. Not yet. Not for at least several more months.
Maybe longer. Aiyuk has no new cash due anytime soon, meaning the organization can maintain the rights to his contract for a while longer at zero further cost, in an attempt to salvage trade value from an otherwise disastrous situation. The damage is already done.
Aiyuk received about $34 million of his four-year, $120 million contract extension before 49ers brass voided his 2026 salary guarantees. In total, he was paid more than $48 million for 25 catches, 374 receiving yards and seven games played over the past two seasons, from the cash on his new deal that had already been distributed plus the $14 million payout for the final year of his rookie contract. The most the 49ers can probably hope to recoup from their inevitable parting of ways is a Day 3 pick or a player equivalent.
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