49ers to Release WR Brandon Aiyuk in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing to release wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as the new NFL league year begins, marking the end of a tumultuous tenure that began with a lucrative contract extension less than two years ago. The move, anticipated for early March 2026, stems from a combination of injury setbacks and contract disputes that strained the player's relationship with the team.

Aiyuk, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers in August 2024, including $76 million in guarantees. He had established himself as a key component of the team's offense, recording 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns over his first four seasons. His standout performance came in 2023, when he earned second-team All-Pro honors with 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, following a 1,000-yard season in 2022.

However, Aiyuk's fortunes changed dramatically midway through the 2024 season. On October 20, he suffered tears to his ACL and MCL, sidelining him for the remainder of that year and the entire 2025 season. The 49ers expected him to return at some point in 2025, but Aiyuk did not participate in...