BREAKING: 49ers React to Brandon Aiyuk bombshell 😮 | Shanahan wants WR back

BREAKING: 49ers React to Brandon Aiyuk bombshell 😮 | Shanahan wants WR back

Another day, another chapter in the Brandon Iayuk 49ers soap opera. Each successive piece of information makes this all the more fascinating. And we were dealing with an unprecedented situation to begin with. Today, Kyle Shanahan had a chance to respond to the media’s revelation on Friday that the 49ers had voided 27 million in full guarantees from the 2026 year of Brandon Aayuk’s contract. And Shanahan confirmed that that did indeed happen, but he added some really, really fascinating context. He said that this happened back in July. He even specified that it happened at the beginning of training camp. He made it sound like there was one specific moment where it happened, although sometimes when you listen to Kyle talk, it’s it’s not completely clear. I’m going to let you listen to Kyle talk right now. Here’s the most interesting quote from his press conference. Not going to get into specifics of that. There was a number of things from July that to me is more of a business side dealing with lawyers and stuff and contracts and um stuff that is really um not my area of expertise. Um what happened in July to me in my opinion doesn’t have anything to do with the future that had to do with circumstances that to me uh were out of a a coach’s hand. You know when I the best way I can explain it when it comes to business matters and lawyers and contracts and things like that. uh when it comes to the future of this, I mean, I would love for BA to be here. I would love for him to get healthy and get back to really helping us out and being a part of this team. Um, we haven’t had that in a little bit and I still I still hold out hope that he can get there. Um, but he obviously hasn’t gotten there yet. Listen to this stuff carefully. The quote that caught my ears the most was out of a coach’s hand. The best way I can explain when it comes to business matters and lawyers and contracts end quote. Twice, Kyle Shanahan invoked the word lawyers today. Again, implying that this is outside of his purview, that whatever happened in July came from the front office, not from Kyle Shanahan. For what it’s worth, Kyle Shanahan still holds hope that Brandon Aayuk plays for the 49ers this year. But I mean, there are a couple other quotes that I think broadcast the 49ers frustration in communication with Brandon Iayuk. This is a quote from Kyle Shanahan. I’m not getting much dialogue just personally between him and I. There’s been a a clear trend, right? There’s so much talk back in training camp of Brandon Iayuk being a very vocal presence in the 49ers receiving room. We saw him out on the field as late as September running some sprints. Looking fairly good, especially considering the fact that he was coming off of three ligament tears, but he’s faded to the background since then. He still has been in the facility. That much is important to emphasize. Kyle Shanahan even confirmed that he was here yesterday, but it’s very clear that there’s a wide chasm that has grown between Aayuk and the 49ers. There still is so much that we don’t know. Shanahan did not go into any more details about the July voiding of the contract, but we only have really one case in in NFL history where where there’s some sort of precedent. And even that one was probably different. I talked about it a little bit earlier today. Antonio Brown back in 2019. The Raiders voided $30 million of his contract. And the Raiders still John Gruden held out hope back then that Antonio Brown would come back to the field and play in week one. But Antonio Brown straight up said, “I’m not playing after they voided my guarantees.” Brandon Iayuk has not come out and said anything about wanting to play or not wanting to play after the 49ers voided his guarantees. But but we have not seen him in the uh spotlight over the past couple months. We did see him for a short period of time after the voiding happened in July, but he obviously has retreated from that public spotlight. He was intentionally running in front of the media as late as September. And now we are just left to guess what could have happened back in July. Was it a poison pill in the contract? Did the 49ers protect themselves legally and then find a way to get out of the $27 million? Did I unknowingly swallow this poison pill in the contract or did I intentionally uh eject from the $27 million even though that would not be very advisable for most people. Did he intentionally do that to encourage a release to to get to another team? This is all stuff that we don’t know at this point. There is a lot of fog of war in this situation. I’m sure that Aayuk is going to sit down on a podcast at some point and give his tell all, his side of the story. Maybe we’ll hear a little bit more from the 49ers after Brandon Aayuk is no longer with the team, but currently he still is with the 49ers. Currently, the recovery they say has plateaued from this knee injury. So, I don’t think he’s hitting the GPS markers that the 49ers need him to hit quite yet. they they have hoped that that he would be back at some point this year. But obviously the background of the voided guarantees, I think uh creates a lot more doubt about Iayuk’s desire to potentially do so, even if there are members of the 49ers like Kyle Shanahan who would like to see him out on that practice field and eventually out on the game field. Talked to Trent Williams, who didn’t want to get into this, although he said that he has been in touch with Brandon Aayuk as a friend. uh talked to Ricky Piol who got a little further into this. We’re going to play both of those videos, but first I do want to show you Kyle Shanahan and all of the quotes from this press conference. I hope that I did a good job really summarizing all that the 49ers are saying about this. They want Iayuk back this year. That’s what Shanahan says. But there obviously is at at the very least a ton of doubt regarding this and they have confirmed that those guarantees have been voided, although they’re not going into further detail there. have a listen to Shanahan and then you could start to infer and you could maybe start to play some guessing games about where he stands here and where the 49ers front office may stand if there’s a rift anywhere and uh obviously you can start to understand the chasm between Iayuk and the 49ers at a greater level. Um no I think you can figure that out in yourself. I mean it takes a lot of things to get a contract voided. Um I even know honestly I’ve never dealt with that in my career been in any building that’s had that. So, it was unusual, but that’s stuff that I can’t get into right now. Um, yeah, of course. I’ve been coaching 20 over 20 years, and I’ve never been in a situation where um a contract’s been voided, so it was extremely unusual to me. And personally, I mean, I imagine you were very in support of him getting a new contract. Uh, we know how weird that negotiation was, but do you feel let down by the situation? Um, I’m not really there yet. Like I know everyone got a lot of information yesterday. Um that was information that uh I found out in July and kind of dealt with it then. And to me the contract stuff and guarantees and things like that is really it’s irrelevant to my relationship with the player and my relationship with our team and what we’re trying to do this year. Uh I know I went through that stuff and talked to him a lot about it back in July. Um, but since July, it’s been all about this season and hoping he would get healthy and he’s been working to get healthy and I’ve been waiting for him to come back when he’s healthy. I don’t think that really matters. Uh, I think everyone might have a different opinion of that. I, you know, I known with the contract stuff that happened back in July. I knew it was going to be a while for him to come back. Um, I was hoping to get him back around this time and we’ve kind of been going about that. My coaching team, I don’t really deal much with injured players. um was told a few weeks ago he was getting closer and um we haven’t made progress in that way so far. So from my standpoint, I’m just waiting for him to get back to practice. Uh yes, that um went that happened back in July though, so that was uh other things. But as far as like missing meetings, things like that, any injured player or people are on IR doing rehab, like their schedule’s totally different than the rest of the team. So sometimes they’re involved in meetings, sometimes they’re not at all. um not going to go through each thing with him, but um anytime a guy’s on IR and stuff, they’re not in the daily routine of meetings, but he has missed them. Uh yeah, he’s missed them. There’s been other people on our team that have missed meetings before, but that doesn’t have anything to do with his contract. Not going to get into specifics with that. There was a number of things from July that to me is more of a business side, dealing with lawyers and stuff and contracts and um stuff that is really um not my area of expertise. And now on to the 49ers locker room. Ricky Pierall and Trent Williams. Yeah, man. Um, I try not to stick my nose in other people’s business like that. Just focus on, you know, my what’s going on with me and my business. Um, you know, I got all the love in the world for BA. Me and BA go way back, you know, to ASU days 2019. So, you know, how I feel about him specifically, you know, it’ll never change for him. He’s he’s been a huge part in my journey, you know. Um, he was the first receiver I’d say that, you know, showed me the routes of what an NFL receiver looks like. um back in 2019 and even to this day watching film, you know, from Coach Hank and stuff like that, showing like how how to run routes. So, you know, I got all the love for BA. Um but I try not to stick my nose in that kind of business. Can you speak to just kind of how he’s feeling, where he’s at mentally right now? Um BA, yeah, I really don’t know how he feels in that situation because just outside of football, we don’t really talk too much about football like that and you know, specifically the business side of things. Um, I just normally just ask him how he’s doing, you know, mentally. And I think that’s honestly probably the most important part, how he’s doing mentally. And how how is he doing mentally? I mean, just from like injury stuff and in that part of it. Yeah. I mean, I think he’s doing fine, you know what I mean? Um, you know, it’s hard cuz he’s he’s a he’s a quiet guy. You know, he’s to himself, but um, as much as I can reach out to him and, you know, show love his way because he’s he’s done that, you know, throughout my journey. So, you know, just trying to pay my dues back to him. And I think you’re in this business like this, you’re always busy. You know, he’s busy doing his thing. So, you know, sometimes you you’re not communicating it every single day like you would like to, you know, to check on people like that, but you know, when I can when I get a, you know, when I he pops in my head and I think of him, you know, I’ll reach out to him warming up alongside you guys throughout camp and throughout September. So, was there a thought that he’s going to be part of this? Yeah. Yeah, 100%. Um, you know, I don’t really know the logistics of how, you know, everything was going behind closed doors and stuff like that, but, you know, just seeing him out there on the field, you know, warming up, running around, you know, it made me happy because I know what he’s, you know, what he’s been through with his knee stuff. And, you know, it was really good to, you know, watch him run around out there and potentially, you know, be on the field at the same time like we did in the old days. So, you know, I was excited for that. We saw that and we thought, oh, he’s he’s making tons of progress. He’s going to be out on the field for real sooner than later. I mean, is is that part of it that it just hasn’t um happened um maybe as as quickly as as he expected? Is that part of his frustration? I mean, I don’t I don’t really know exactly what it is, but I I would just look at it um as the injury. You know, it’s a really rough injury. You know, it’s his knee. He’s he’s a receiver, and you know, that’s not an easy thing to come back from, you know, physically, mentally, you know, all those different um aspects of, you know, coming back from an injury like that. So, you know, I don’t know, um, you know, how he was feeling specifically about, you know, how he was moving around, but he, you know, he looked good and, you know, I always tell him that and, um, you know, it sucks that, you know, it is the way it is right now cuz, you know, I would love to be teammates with him, but yeah. Is all this news to you, like it’s news to us or did you have a sense that he was hoping for some business stuff? Yeah, I mean, it’s it’s pretty much news to me, too. You know, like like I said earlier, you know, I when we talk to each other, it’s, you know, just generally about like how how’s life, you know, um, outside of football, I think. Yeah. that that process of of rehabbing and having to kind of meet your baseline speeds and stuff like that. What was that like for you? I mean, is that a inherently frustrating process that we’re talking about fractions of a mile? For sure. Um, you know, for me specifically, like when I was coming back, yes, I wanted to hit all my speeds. I just wanted to feel good. you know, I was still having pain throughout the entire time. And, you know, it it was something that I feel like I couldn’t fight through and, you know, do what I do great and go out there and, you know, run the routes that I was, you know, you know, prior and in the first three games. So, you know, it was just a process with that. And coming back, I don’t think it was like a specific speed. Like, obviously, I want to hit the speed that, you know, I was hitting before, but, you know, if I felt good and I knew I could create separation, get open, um, I think that was like the time that I was like, “Okay, you know, I feel good enough to come back.” But yeah, I mean obviously I want to hit the speeds that originally was for sure. Did you feel 100% good in this last game or you gunning it out a little bit? Um, you know, I like to say you never feel 100% in this game, you know, just cuz it’s a super physical game, but you know, I I still felt myself. Um, and when I say that, I mean like I I know I could still create separation, run great routes, catch the ball, get up field, all all the good things that I need to be doing. So I would say so yeah, I was feeling myself in here. The whole process of that game kind of getting your confidence back at your knee was healthy at all. Um, as far as confidence with my knee, you know, when you’re out there on the field, sometimes you don’t even think of it. You know, you’re just kind of, you know, going out on the field and you’re like, “Okay, it’s time to rock.” You know, I’m not going to step on the field if I don’t feel confident in it. As far as like in my abilities, yes, I 100% felt confident. You know, I’m looking to, you know, get open every single play. So, when you got when you got here initially and they do that initial test on the sideline, did they do the ACL test or did you do you bang the PCL? Yeah, they did all kinds of testing just, you know, cuz I was describing my knee pain. They didn’t they didn’t know what it was, you know. I didn’t know what it was cuz I never had any kind of knee pain, any injury to my knee. So, I was just like, “All right, my knees hurting, you know, can I go back in?” That was all I was asking. And, you know, I went in the 10, they were doing a bunch of different tests to me. And then I was going outside the tent trying to run around and I was just having a lot of pain, you know, instability in the beginning. So, that’s how much relief was initial. Oh, yeah. There’s always relief when you hear that for sure. Thank God. Takes meetings, team meetings and training camp that sort of kind of siphoned off. Yeah. I mean, I didn’t really track exactly when it like siphoned off or whatever you’re talking about, but yeah, he was just like the second coach in there for us, you know, like I was saying earlier, you know, BA was like one of the first dudes I was watching and was like, “This is what it takes to be an NFL receiver, you know, back in ASU days.” So when I got here watching his tape, you know, running elite routes, being able to learn from him and then just his voice in the in the receiver room, you know, everybody respects him as a receiver. So you naturally respect, you know, the words that he’s saying, the coaching points that he brings up. So any of the guys like recognize when there is business matters that maybe distract from the sport, it’s not? No, I think everybody that’s an individual thing, you know, I think for everybody their their business side, I don’t think no guys really in this locker room want to get too involved with other people’s business. I think honestly in life we should do more of that, you know, not be in people’s business. So, but yeah, that’s what we try to do. Um I’m going just say this, you know, um I love be like a brother. Um and you know, I I’m not going to comment on his situation that’s between him and the 49ers. So, I’m going just, you know, let that be what it is. Can Can you give us just any insight into how he’s how he’s been just like how he has personally? I can’t. Sure. But you’ve been chatting with him, keeping close to him at all. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah, we talk after all that. Monday Night Football is next here from Levi Stadium. Kind of Dominic’s been I mean, I think he’s been pretty good all season. Obviously, we know he got hurt. Um, been balanced from injuries, but I mean, just the steps he continued to take year in and year out. I mean, he’s still a really young player, but um he’s got so much experience that, you know, we all overlooked that, but I mean, he’s still only a secondy year guy. And um has huge ceiling. I mean, very high ceiling. And uh so just excited to see him continuing to be who who we all know he can be. The rotation next to you at at left guard, is this the first time in your career that that you’ve had two guys playing that position? No, I wouldn’t say the first time. No, I wouldn’t say that. Are there any certain challenges or benefits or different, you know, as far as cohesion goes with you and the left guard that that you have to work on or or keep in mind with Uh, no, that’s a good question. No. Um, you know, obviously me and Spence hadn’t played beside each other a whole lot, but um, you know, it it it doesn’t take a lot of getting used to. you know, we’re all just following coaches instructions. So, it’s not like this combination of guys are going to do things a certain way and then when Ben come in, we do it a certain way. It’s, you know, I’mma do my job the same way no matter who beside me. And um but I mean, hats off to both of those guys. They’ve been um playing really, really, really good football. Um you know, obviously rotating, staying fresh. But um n to answer your question, I don’t have to do anything different in particular. Trent, as a blocker, what’s your favorite run play? Uh, it’s a good question. It’s uh I like to pull, get on the edge and stuff, but you know, that’s all predicated on what’s what’s in front of you. You know what I’m saying? You like certain plays versus certain looks and stuff like that. I know you don’t play right next to him, but Curtis Robinson taking over Florida. What guy is he in the locker room? Oh, Curtis, he’s he’s one of team favorites. Everybody knows Curtis around here. not only the players but you know the staff and he’s one of those beloved players. Um so everybody just you know really pulling forward everybody in his corner. Um especially after last year and him working back to get back to to where he is now and now having an opportunity to go out and start on Monday night, you know, versus a really good opponent. Um we’re all happy for him. We’re just, you know, ready to see him seize the moment. Good.

BREAKING: 49ers Reaction to Brandon Aiyuk bombshell 😮 | Shanahan wants WR back

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDZB2Cy0KiJmvoC-PTfM2A/join

David Lombardi covers the 49ers for The SF Standard.

Become an SF Standard Member to read David’s articles here: https://sfstandard.com/author/david-lombardi/

* X: @LombardiHimself
* Instagram: @lombardihimself

* Subscribe!
* Leave a comment.

#49ers #BrockPurdy #BrandonAiyuk #GeorgeKittle #KyleShanahan #NickBosa #FredWarner #DreGreenlaw #TrentWilliams #SanFrancisco #Sandwiches