49ers' move may have ended Brandon Aiyuk's time with team

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

49ers' move may have ended Brandon Aiyuk's time in San Francisco

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 14, 2025 9:01 AM ET

The on-again, off-again relationship between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers looks to be off again. Potentially for good this time.

The 49ers placed the wide receiver on the reserve/left squad list, making him ineligible to return to the field this season. That not only ends his 2025 season, but it may have ended his career with the 49ers.

Brandon Aiyuk's time with 49ers seems to be over

The 49ers had already voided the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract in 2026, setting the stage for a potential parting of ways this offseason. That led to reports of him not participating in meetings or being around the team, and questions as to whether or not he would play again this season.

Now we know for sure he is not.

It continues what has been a messy relationship between the two sides that has featured moments of brilliance and production, contract disputes, a trade demand, a long-term contract extension and now this.

49ers placed WR Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, making him ineligible to return this season and raising questions about where he’ll be next season. pic.twitter.com/9GAsGHZYhN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2025

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers prior to the 2024 season after nearly being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended up playing in just seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. He has not played at all this season.

The question now becomes where does Aiyuk play next season?

By voiding the guaranteed money in his 2026 contract, there is a significantly easier path for the 49ers to move on from him after this season. Especially since Aiyuk reportedly has no interesting in filing a grievance with the NFLPA.

On one hand, he is still a talented and productive player when healthy. The downside is that he is going to be 28 years old, will have played just seven games in two years and has been a major headache for the 49ers toward the end of his tenure. They have also not really missed him this season, entering Week 15 with a 9-4 record and firmly in the NFC playoff picture.

There are enough wide receiver-needy teams in the league that somebody is going to sign him. It just might not be for a big contract. He might have to sign a "prove it" deal before he cashes in again.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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