Story perspectives

49ers Put Injured Aiyuk on Left Squad, Void $27M Guarantees

7/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

49ers GM John Lynch placed receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left-squad list, removing him from the 90-man roster.
Aiyuk has not filed for NFL reinstatement, so the team cannot release or trade him.
The 49ers voided $27 million in guarantees and eliminated the guarantees of his $120 million, four-year extension signed in August 2024.
He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in Week 7 of the 2024 season and then stopped attending required rehabilitation.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 NFL lockout ended with a ten-year CBA that set a $120.375 million team salary cap and introduced tighter limits on guaranteed contracts. Those rules gave owners tools to insert performance triggers, a practice the 49ers used when general manager John Lynch voided Brandon Aiyuk’s $27 million guarantees after his ACL, MCL and meniscus injuries. The lockout’s legacy thus shapes today’s contract flexibility.

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Story summary

49ers GM John Lynch placed receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left-squad list, removing him from the 90-man roster.
Aiyuk has not filed for NFL reinstatement, so the team cannot release or trade him.
The 49ers voided $27 million in guarantees and eliminated the guarantees of his $120 million, four-year extension signed in August 2024.
He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in Week 7 of the 2024 season and then stopped attending required rehabilitation.

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