49ers secure Christian Kirk with $6 million contract as Brandon Aiyuk situation continues

49ers Revamp Their Wide Receiver Corps

The 49ers are undergoing quite a transformation in their wide receiver lineup.

San Francisco is gearing up for a potential future without Brandon Aiyuk, having signed former Cardinals and Texans receiver Christian Kirk to a one-year contract worth $6 million.

Aiyuk is currently on the 49ers’ roster but is trying to void his contract, a situation stemming from his failure to attend injury rehabilitation sessions over the past year. His contract issues make things a bit complicated, to say the least.

In addition, the team is working on canceling Aiyuk’s guaranteed money, which could simplify his release and help them avoid a substantial dead cap hit.

As the situation stands, Aiyuk will stay with the team through the free agency period, but if the 49ers choose to release him, his options will be quite limited.

Former 49er Richard Sherman, who played under head coach Kyle Shanahan, thinks it might be better to trade Aiyuk instead of releasing him outright.

Sherman pointed out, “There is no tape from this season. His current contract is nearly $30 million a year.” Aiyuk has been sidelined with a torn ACL, missing the entirety of last season.

He elaborated, “If they cut him, he’ll forfeit his contract, and another team could sign him on a one-year ‘prove-it’ deal in the range of $6 million to $8 million annually… On the other hand, if he gets traded, his contract goes with him. Honestly, I’d prefer to be traded with the contract I already have. Wouldn’t you rather not start from scratch?” He also suggested that if the 49ers could land a seventh-round pick, it could benefit both parties involved.

After extended negotiations, Aiyuk had signed a four-year, $120 million deal in late August 2024, which featured $76 million in guarantees, with $50 million guaranteed at signing.

Having suffered his ACL injury just weeks into the last season, Aiyuk’s situation has been described by Shanahan as “extremely unusual,” partly because he reportedly stopped attending rehab sessions.

If he were to be released, Aiyuk would become a free agent, able to sign with any team, but he would lose out on the substantial money from his contract.

At 28 years old, Aiyuk had an impressive performance in 2023, racking up 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, though the team ultimately fell short against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.