The San Francisco 49ers brass is on the same page when it comes to expectations of Brandon Aiyuk playing this season: hopeful but not planning on it happening.
Both general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan were asked Tuesday on KNBR Radio whether they expected the receiver to return this season. Each response wasn't exactly promising.
"Realistic? I'm not sure," Lynch said, via 49ers Web Zone. "Hopeful? Yeah. So, I think that's kind of where I'd leave that. He continues to rehab, and hopefully, that's, like I've always said, we're a better football team when Brandon's out there, and I hope that's the case.
"But I think that's probably what it is -- is hope right now. And I wish it were a little bit more than that."
Said Shanahan: "Oh, I'm definitely still hopeful. I'm not counting on it, but I'm definitely still hoping that can happen."
Aiyuk is still recovering from the knee injury suffered last season. With four games remaining following their Week 14 bye, San Francisco has yet to open his practice window.
Word of Aiyuk's voided guaranteed money, which happened in July, leaked 11 days ago and was confirmed by Shanahan, igniting questions about the reality of the receiver, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024, returning this season.
Prior to the news coming out, the Niners didn't seem so pessimistic about Aiyuk's chances of playing in 2025. Lynch was asked if the report added any strain to an already wounded relationship.
"I don't necessarily know that the reporting was an inflection point, but I think, the entire time, it hadn't been great," Lynch admitted. "And so, you do your best to rectify those things, and then, everyone's got to be professionals and conduct themselves in that manner. And so, that's how we treat all our players. And we have great relationships with our players. We've had a great relationship with Brandon, and we look forward to that continuing."
Voiding the guarantees is a preemptive move to a parting of ways in the offseason. Given how both Shanahan and Lynch are approaching the situation, it doesn't sound like Aiyuk will play another down in a Niners jersey.
