Recently, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall gave some thoughts regarding Brandon Aiyuk‘s situation in San Francisco since the voiding of the veteran’s guaranteed money.
Pearsall, one of Aiyuk’s friends since being teammates together in college at Arizona State, checked in with words of encouragement for the still-rehabbing wide receiver.

Pearsall said he reaches out to Aiyuk often and thinks the former first-round pick is dealing with the circumstances about as well as possible. “I think he’s doing fine,” Pearsall said. ” You know what I mean? It’s hard because he’s a quiet guy, he’s to himself, but as much as I can reach out to him and show love his way because he’s done that throughout my journey. So I’m just trying to pay my dues back to him and I think he’s doing good.”

Pearsall said they rarely discuss contractual matters or team politics despite how close of friends they are. Instead, Pearsall tries to give Aiyuk space. “I try not to stick my nose in other people’s business like that,” he said. “I got all the love in the world for B.A. Me and B.A. go way back to ASU days, 2019, so how I feel about him, specifically, it’ll never change for him.”

Pearsall added to how much Aiyuk has impacted his career: The veteran taught him route running at an NFL level early in his career. Even now, he said, he studies Aiyuk’s technique via film sessions with receivers coach Leonard Hankerson. “He was the first receiver, I’d say, that showed me the routes of what an NFL receiver looks like,” Pearsall said.

They rarely discuss football when they aren’t in the team facility. Recently, most of their discussions have involved Aiyuk’s well-being, both mentally and physically, as he works his way back from the ACL and MCL tears he suffered last season. Pearsall tries to check in when he can.

The same message came from veteran left tackle Trent Williams, too. Williams wouldn’t comment on Aiyuk’s team situation, saying only that he loves him as a person. “I’m going to just say this: I love B like a brother,” Williams said.

“I’m not going to comment on his situation. It’s between him and the 49ers. So, I’m just going to let that be what it is, he said.

Williams did admit the two remain in contact, but he also didn’t delve into Aiyuk’s situation. Their bond has been strengthened through their combined adversity. Pearsall survived being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery, and Aiyuk suffered his season-ending knee injury.

Pearsall said the ability to lean on one another has been huge over both recoveries.

49ers latest move for Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t been back with the 49ers since his serious knee injury in October of 2024, and his continued absence, combined with some recent developments on the contract front, has heightened questions about his future.

In fact, it’s reasonable to say he might not take another snap for San Francisco with six contests left on the schedule. A league source said the 49ers took away Aiyuk’s guaranteed money for the 2026 season.

The Athletic reported the move first, which included removing a $24.935 million option bonus that had become guaranteed April 1. Aiyuk is still in line for a $1.215 million base salary and other bonuses, but all of it is unprotected. Taking those protections away allows the organization to have a clear path out if they decide to move on.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the development and promptly distanced himself from the contractual decisions while simultaneously hoping for a resolution. “What happened in July, in my opinion, doesn’t have anything to do with the future,” Shanahan said.

”That had to do with circumstances that, to me, were out of a coach’s hand. I would love for BA to be here.  We haven’t had that in a little bit and I still hold out hope that he can get there, but he obviously hasn’t gotten there yet,” he concluded.

With Aiyuk’s recovery ongoing and his contract now wide open, the coming months will decide whether his time with the 49ers is near its end, or if there remains a path back into the building.