Despite leaving the door open, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch didn't exactly sound enthusiastic about still-injured wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk returning to action this season in a recent radio appearance on KNBR 680.
Reading the tea leaves, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion than Aiyuk has already played his last snap with the Niners, one that came on the devastating ACL and MCL tears back in October of 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Aiyuk's recent ride with San Francisco has been tumultuous, to say the least. A contractual standoff entering 2024 that nearly resulted in him being traded, only to be negated by head coach Kyle Shanahan and an 11th-hour contract extension, one which the balance of the 49ers front office reportedly immediately regretted, was followed by a frustrating campaign that culminated in said injury.