Why Brandon Aiyuk isn't playing tonight for 49ers in playoffs vs. Seahawks with contract dispute

The San Francisco 49ers are facing off against the Seattle Seahawks in the Saturday night NFC Divisional round matchup between the NFC's number 1 and number 6 seeds.

This won't be an easy matchup for the 49ers, as the Seahawks' defense is one of the best in the NFL, and the 49ers' offense will be without George Kittle due to injury.

Brandon Aiyuk will also not play for the 49ers, but it's not for an injury reason. The 49ers' star wide receiver isn't suiting up for the 49ers against the Seahawks amid his contract dispute with the 49ers.

Why Brandon Aiyuk isn't playing for 49ers vs. Seahawks

Earlier this season, according to Dianna Russini and Mike Silver of The Athletic, Aiyuk and the 49ers are heading for a split after the 2025 season thanks to an ongoing contract dispute.

The 49ers' wide receiver suffered a torn ACL in 2024, and after being put on the physically unable to perform list over the summer, he's not been activated yet.

The report indicated that Aiyuk "failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities" while he recovered from his injury.

That disconnect led to the two sides shifting towards a divorce. The 49ers voided Aiyuk's 2026 guarantees in his $120 million contract, and Aiyuk did not challenge or fight the contract move from the 49ers.

More: George Kittle injury history: A timeline of 49ers TE's missed games, from 2020 foot fracture to latest torn Achilles injury

Aiyuk hasn't played one game this season, and it all stems from an injury recovery lasting a while, and the team growing frustrated with his actions.

San Francisco will likely cut or trade him this offseason, and Aiyuk will likely be on a new team by the start of the 2026 NFL season.

But, for now, in this 49ers and Seahawks NFC Divisional round playoff game, despite the 49ers being in a spot where Aiyuk's services would be greatly appreciated, the veteran receiver is staying away from the team as a split is on the horizon.

More 49ers news:

• Dianna Russini’s new details on George Kittle's 49ers tequila bottle in locker room
• 49ers vs. Eagles final score, results: San Francisco advance behind Christian McCaffrey's two touchdowns
• Jauan Jennings 'can't wait' to play Seahawks next after big game for 49ers
• 49ers' Jauan Jennings was a higher-ranked QB recruit than Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Sam Darnold
• Who do the 49ers play next? Explaining divisional round opponent for San Francisco in 2026 NFL playoff bracket