What Brandon Aiyuk's Release Would Mean for 49ers' Salary Cap amid NFL Rumors

The San Francisco 49ers can gain plenty of financial flexibility by releasing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk once the 2025 season comes to a close.

Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic reported Friday that the 49ers voided the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract for 2026 after he "failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months."

Aiyuk did not want to fight the move via an official grievance, clearing the way for his release at the end of the 2025 season, Russini and Silver reported.

According to David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard, the voided 2026 guaranteed money means that the 49ers can save roughly $85 million in cap space across the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons by cutting the receiver.

Potentially releasing Aiyuk should also allow San Francisco to make several impact moves in free agency during the upcoming offseason, as the team is already projected to have $34.7 million in 2026 cap space (via Over the Cap).

The 27-year-old racked up 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns across his first five seasons with the 49ers, but has yet to make his 2025 debut as he continues to recover from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.