George Kittle makes feelings on 49ers' handling of Brandon Aiyuk situation clear

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk almost certainly will never play for the San Francisco 49ers again, and some feel that he "has played his last down in the NFL" following his actions over the past year and a half. 

During an appearance on the latest edition of the "Chris Simms Unbuttoned" podcast, star 49ers tight end George Kittle discussed how his employer has handled the Aiyuk situation that has left some members of the football community unsettled. 

George Kittle: 49ers "have done a very good job" with Brandon Aiyuk situation

"I feel like the Niners have done a very good job throughout the entire process and have tried [to work it out]," Kittle explained, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "[Head coach Kyle Shanahan] has tried, [general manager John Lynch] has tried, teammates have tried, and this is where we are."

The 49ers voided the remaining guaranteed money attached to Aiyuk's contract after he didn't participate in rehab sessions related to the knee injury he suffered in October 2024. Aiyuk hasn't played since he went down with that setback, and he has since raised eyebrows and sparked concerns via his social media activities from December 2025 through this summer. 

George Kittle has been "treated with nothing but respect" by 49ers

As far as outsiders know, Aiyuk has not yet applied to the NFL for reinstatement from the reserve/did not report list. It's assumed the 49ers would release him were he to be reinstated, but it appears as of July 24 that no team would be all that interested in taking a flier on him.

"I think the organization itself has done a really good job," Kittle continued. "Like I said, I know plenty of things, and I don't ever want to single out a player. I don't ever want to point a finger at anybody, but I've been here for 10 years, and I've been treated with nothing but respect and love my entire career. I feel like I've done it the right way as long as I can."

Aiyuk presumably has not done things "the right way" since he last appeared in a regular-season game. It remains to be seen if the 28-year-old will ever again find his way on an active NFL roster.