49ers' Kyle Shanahan shares 'hopeful' Brandon Aiyuk update

The San Francisco 49ers' divorce from Brandon Aiyuk may not be as imminent as initially thought.

A report revealed that the team voided future guarantees of his contract because he had failed to meet some of his obligations as he rehabbed from his ACL and MCL injury. Both parties were reportedly eager to part ways, with Aiyuk potentially becoming a free agent this season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, still hopes that it won't be the case.

Kyle Shanahan is hopeful that Brandon Aiyuk will return

In a radio interview, the Niners head coach acknowledged that he's not counting on Aiyuk's return, but he still hopes it may happen.

"Oh, I’m definitely still hopeful," Shanahan said on KNBR, per 49ers Webzone. "I’m not counting on it, but I’m definitely still hoping that can happen."

He sounds a little more realistic than his general manager. When asked about the situation, John Lynch was a little more pragmatic.

"Realistic? I'm not sure," Lynch said earlier in the week. "Hopeful? Yeah. So, I think that's kind of where I'd leave that. He continues to rehab, and hopefully, that's, like I've always said, we're a better football team when Brandon's out there, and I hope that's the case. But I think that's probably what it is — is hope right now. And I wish it were a little bit more than that."

The Niners gave Aiyuk a four-year, $120 million extension after some tense negotiations, but he didn't play up to those standards before suffering his season-ending injury in 2024. Given his seemingly fractured relationship with the organization, it wouldn't be shocking that he may have played his last snap for the team already.