The soap-operatic situation regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers has gained yet another public opinion.
Three-time Super Bowl champion and former 49ers quarterback Steve Young was asked Wednesday on KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” show whether he thinks Aiyuk will play another game in red and gold.
“I feel like it’s up to Brandon,” Young stated, “It feels like he’s decided that it’s broken and has moved on.”
His input comes days after news broke that the 49ers voided Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees reportedly for failing to fulfill the terms of his contract.
“I might be wrong that it’s Brandon’s choice,” Young expanded, “… But I gotta believe that with his talent and what he gave to Brock… “
The 27-year-old signed a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco a year and a half ago after a lengthy dispute, cementing his spot in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. However, he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 7 last season and has yet to come off the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
“Brandon was that guy that was open quickly, deep, out on the fringes where things could really cause defenses grief. And it’s a huge loss. And it’s terrible that this has happened the way it has,” Young added.
Aiyuk’s career-best year came in 2023, where his career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns brought him a Second Team All-Pro Selection. His on-field chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy is partly what contributed to the ill-fated Super Bowl run.
Purdy, in a Tuesday appearance on KNBR, also commented on Aiyuk’s situation, stating that it “sucks” not having one of his top weapons, who he and general manager John Lynch hope can return to the field.
In the meantime, the 49ers hold a 9-4 record and are in the hunt for a NFC playoff spot going into the bye week.
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