Brandon Aiyuk returned to the San Francisco 49ers facility on Friday, but it did not appear as though he was very welcome.
The rift between Aiyuk and the Niners has gone on for well over a year now after the team voided the remaining guaranteed money he was owed on his extension. The 49ers did so after Aiyuk didn’t participate in rehab sessions for a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus he suffered in his right knee during the 2024 season, which he still has not returned from.
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Members of the Niners weren’t exactly thrilled about him coming back, and head coach Kyle Shanahan made his feelings well known.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) catches the ball during warmups before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Oct. 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)
“I could care less,” Shanahan said when asked about a potential meeting with Aiyuk and Niners brass.
“It’s been over for our football team for a long time,” Shanahan added. “I don’t hear much except questions about it today. But it’s not too big of a deal for me to answer.”
“I’m feeling great, feeling healthy. Long recovery process, long rehab process,” Aiyuk said as he arrived at the Niners’ offices. “But I’m back to 100 percent and looking to get reinstated into the National Football League.”
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 17, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Aiyuk will remain under contract with the 49ers after he is reinstated by the NFL. General manager John Lynch previously has said he doesn’t expect Aiyuk to play for the Niners again.
The 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left team list back in December after he stopped showing up to the team facility.
Brandon Aiyuk (11) of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the field prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Before getting injured in 2024, Aiyuk tallied 24 catches for 374 yards that season. He broke out with 1,342 yards on 75 receptions and seven touchdowns during the 2023 season for the 49ers, helping them reach the Super Bowl.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.