49ers coach, owner deliver mixed messages on Aiyuk's future - ESPN

PHOENIX — Since the San Francisco 49ers' season ended on Jan. 17, their messaging when it comes to receiver Brandon Aiyuk's future with the franchise has remained the same. Until Monday.

Speaking to media at league meetings Monday morning, coach Kyle Shanahan reiterated he and general manager John Lynch's previous stance that Aiyuk had played his last snap for the team even if they're not in a hurry to make the move that leads to that end.

«I don't have a date for it, but I know eventually it'll resolve itself,» Shanahan said. «Hopefully we could get something for [him]. And I know we're in no rush to do that. You've got to do what's right for the Niners and you're not trying to hook up any other team as fast as you possibly can. Hopefully, we can get something for that, and it'll take care of itself.»

Roughly two hours later, 49ers owner Jed York offered a different perspective, even going so far as alluding to the potential for Aiyuk to remain in San Francisco in 2026.

«I think anything's possible, right?» York said. «We want to make sure that we have as talented of a roster as possible. First and foremost, he needs to get healthy and be able to perform. I think once that happens, he's a really, really good football player.»

While Aiyuk has indeed been a good football player for the Niners when healthy, the team's desire to get something for him in a trade could also be a driving factor in York doing his best to pump up his value.

The idea of keeping Aiyuk has not been presented by Shanahan or Lynch since they spoke about it at their end of season news conference on Jan. 21. That day, Lynch said it's «safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners.» Shanahan added that he'd been unable to even contact Aiyuk