New 49ers Rumors on Brandon Aiyuk's Status Being 'Nonfactor' for Team Amid NFL Training Camp

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's status is a reported "nonfactor" for the team as it gets ready for the 2026 season.

ESPN's Dan Graziano provided more insight on Tuesday from an article detailing his recent training camp visits, including one to the 49ers' Santa Clara, California facility on Aug. 5.

"The Brandon Aiyuk situation is a nonfactor. I asked a couple of people about it, but the Niners have pushed him out of their minds this camp. He's still on the reserve/left squad list, which means they don't have to pay him or even cut him.

"If he decided to apply for reinstatement, they'd have to make a move by Sept. 1, when he has a roughly $25 million roster bonus that vests. They'd almost certainly release him in that case rather than have to pay that bonus, but unless and until he gets himself reinstated, they don't have to do anything."

Aiyuk was one an integral piece of the 49ers' offense. In his fourth NFL season (2023), Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns en route to All-Pro Second Team honors. He also helped guide the 49ers to an NFC title.

After a lengthy contract negotiation that nearly led to a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract ($45 million guaranteed at signing; $76 million total guarantee package), per Over the Cap.

Sadly, Aiyuk suffered a serious knee injury (ACL tear, MCL tear, meniscus damage) in the seventh game of the 2024 season on Oct. 20 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

He has not played since.

Marcus D. Smith of USA Today provided a timeline of events between Aiyuk and the 49ers. The big piece here is that the 49ers voided his guaranteed money for the 2026 season back in Nov. 2025.

Dianna Russini and Michael Silver wrote the following for the Athletic back in Nov. 2025 when breaking the story.

"Aiyuk, sources say, has failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver's lack of communication.

"The 49ers, sources say, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season's end."

Aiyuk has made his thoughts on the situation (and his desire to be let out of his contract to sign with the Washington Commanders) very clear via social media in various posts, including this one below.

At this juncture, Aiyuk is on the "reserve/left squad" list. He is still under contract through 2028 but does not have any guaranteed money left on his deal, per Over the Cap.

Back in June, David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard explained why the team hasn't parted ways with Aiyuk

"The 49ers' reasoning seems simple: There's no financial downside to keeping Aiyuk, who remains on the Left Squad list and therefore isn't required to be paid. In fact, the 49ers' salary-cap situation actually benefits from the status quo because a large amount of the $48.4 million the team has paid Aiyuk since 2024 will remain prorated into the future against the cap for as long as he's on the roster."

As for the 49ers, they move along with eyes on their Week 1 opener in Melbourne, Australia against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 (Sept. 11 local time).