Brandon Aiyuk’s reported $13 million dispute could complicate 49ers exit
Tom Pelissero reported that Aiyuk owes San Francisco roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture. The NFL Management Council and players’ union are involved as he seeks to resolve his team status.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s effort to resolve his status with the team faces a reported financial complication: Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reported that Aiyuk owes roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture. The reported amount could complicate his attempt to secure a release. The NFL Management Council and NFL Players Association are involved in trying to resolve the dispute, according to Pelissero’s reporting as relayed by theScore and NBC Sports Bay Area.
How Aiyuk’s contract dispute developed
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco in 2024 that included a $23 million signing bonus. NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the 49ers voided about $27 million in guarantees in July 2025, citing his failure to adhere to contract terms; those guarantees would have been paid in 2026. The outlet said Aiyuk reportedly did not file a grievance over the decision.
The 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list in December after he stopped reporting to the team facility, NBC Sports Bay Area reported. TheScore said he stopped attending during his recovery from an ACL tear. Aiyuk has not played since tearing the ligament in October 2024. These contract and attendance issues form the backdrop to his current effort to secure reinstatement and a release.
Possible paths to resolve the 49ers dispute
The reported bonus dispute could be resolved through an agreement between Aiyuk and the 49ers or sent to arbitration, according to Pelissero’s reporting as relayed by theScore and NBC Sports Bay Area. The NFL Management Council and players’ union are involved in trying to settle the issue. Neither route had been reported as completed in the accounts available on Thursday.
Aiyuk applied for reinstatement and hired agent Drew Rosenhaus. Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that they planned to meet the 49ers at the team facility at Levi’s Stadium on Friday at 3 p.m. The meeting was planned, and no outcome was reported. After reinstatement, the 49ers can decide whether to keep Aiyuk or part ways with him, theScore reported.
General manager John Lynch called the situation “fluid” in a Thursday interview with KNBR. NBC Sports Bay Area quoted Lynch describing it as a unique situation without a playbook and saying the team was working with the NFL Management Council. The dispute therefore involves both the reported repayment issue and the unresolved question of whether Aiyuk will remain with San Francisco.
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Sources and context
- Report: WR Brandon Aiyuk owes 49ers $13 millionNiners Wire (Kyle Madson; reports Tom Pelissero of The Ringer)
- Report: Aiyuk owes 49ers about $13M in bonus forfeituretheScore (Daniel Valente; attributes the amount and dispute details to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer)
- Brandon Aiyuk reportedly owes 49ers about $13 million in bonus forfeiture as receiver seeks releaseNBC Sports Bay Area (Matt Maiocco; also attributes the amount to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.