Brandon Aiyuk's days in San Francisco officially are numbered.
On Wednesday, 49ers general manager John Lynch made that clear when asked about Aiyuk's outlook with the team.
"It's safe to say he's played his last snap with the Niners," Lynch said.
Aiyuk's departure has been anticipated since the 49ers voided the 2026 guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract in late November, then placed the receiver on the reserve/left squad list in mid-December, ending a season that never began after Aiyuk spent the campaign on the physically unable to perform list due to a torn ACL suffered in 2024. With the 49ers clear of $27 million in guarantees for 2026, they can move on from the receiver and avoid a massive dead cap hit, saving $6.3 million of his $14.6 million cap number via a post-June 1 release, per Over The Cap.
Those seeking an explanation for the breakdown in the tumultuous relationship between Aiyuk and the 49ers received one Wednesday: Aiyuk inexplicably stopped coming into the team's facility and communicating with them, according to Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.
"It's confusing for all of us," Shanahan said. ... "We still don't understand it very well."
Aiyuk has proven to be a mercurial receiver during his career with the 49ers. After consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 -- including a breakout campaign that included 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 -- Aiyuk embarked on a pursuit of a lucrative long-term deal, engaging in a protracted contract dispute with the 49ers that included a trade request (which nearly resulted in a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and a lengthy hold-in during the 2024 preseason.
The two sides came to an agreement -- four years, $120 million with $45 million guaranteed at signing and $76 million in total guarantees -- just before the start of the 2024 regular season. Aiyuk played in just seven games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It would prove to be his final game in a 49ers uniform.
The anticipated roster move will happen eventually, according to Lynch and Shanahan, who remain mystified by Aiyuk's conduct.
"I wish I knew," Lynch said. "I can't help you."
San Francisco will move forward with a receiving corps that includes 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall, who began his sophomore season with two 100-yard games in his first three contests before a knee injury hampered the remainder of his campaign. They'll also have veteran Demarcus Robinson and youngster Jacob Cowing, leaving plenty of spots to fill at the position in 2026.