# Kyle Shanahan surprisingly leaves door open for possible Brandon Aiyuk 49ers return, with a catch

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/kyle-shanahan-surprisingly-leaves-door-open-for-possible-brandon-aiyuk-49ers-return-with-a-catch/
- Published: 2026-11-05T00:46:13+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T04:51:08+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/04/sports/kyle-shanahan-brandon-aiyuk-49ers-return/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Shanahan has not ruled out Aiyuk returning to San Francisco.
- Aiyuk is expected back at the team facility on Friday.
- The coach says he has moved on and has no expectations.

## Summary

Kyle Shanahan has left open the possibility that Brandon Aiyuk could play for the San Francisco 49ers again, saying there are “no absolutes in life”. The coach said he was not concerned about the prospect of Aiyuk being traded or released and joining a rival, though he added that he had mentally moved on and had no expectations about Aiyuk’s reinstatement.

Aiyuk is expected to return to the 49ers’ facility on Friday, which would be his first time there since December 2025. He has been in a dispute with the club over his contract and previously said his relationship with Shanahan could not be repaired; after hiring agent Drew Rosenhaus, he is now reportedly willing to return. Aiyuk had also publicly criticised his former agent and 49ers general manager John Lynch.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.