Last month, Aiyuk partially credited a conversation (or conversations) with Kyle Shanahan for his impressive turnaround. The receiver shared that he and his coach had "some words," leading many to believe there was at least some sort of verbal confrontation between the two.
Even the team's general manager weighed in on the topic.
"I was there at one particular meeting — I think the one Brandon was referencing — around the bye week, where they had a really good dialogue," John Lynch said last month. "I was in there. I kind of felt like the guy, Robert Wuhl, in Bull Durham, where I'm kind of like, 'Alright.' You know, I'm standing in between them.
"But they both got some things off their chest, but it was very productive. And they had an honest conversation. And I think that led to Brandon understanding kind of what the frustrations were."
Shanahan joined KNBR on Friday morning and shared his side of the story, which sounded less confrontational than initially portrayed.
"Brandon's got a funny way of communicating, and I understand it very well," Shanahan said on the Murph & Mac show. "A lot of people have asked me that because he said we 'had words.' When you say we 'had words,' it comes off as [something more confrontational]. But it wasn't like that at all.
"We had good words, a good dialogue, a good discussion. Not just one. Probably about 100 of them. So, it's something that we've got a good relationship. He knows I push him hard, but I think he knows what my intent is. My intent is to get him to be the best receiver he can be, so he can help the Niners. And his goal is to be the best receiver he can be, one, so he can help the Niners, but [also] so he can support his family and have a hell of a career.
"So we both have the same goal, and we both need each other to reach those goals."
We may see Aiyuk's role increase even more on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, with the 49ers' leading receiver, Deebo Samuel, expected to miss the game.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan: Too early for 49ers to set timeline on Brandon Aiyuk's return
Brandon Aiyuk isn't expected to be ready when the San Francisco 49ers kick off the 2025 season. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a mid-season return seems more realistic, though the 49ers haven't ruled out the possibility of an earlier comeback. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and... -
John Lynch: Brandon Aiyuk expected to remain with 49ers in 2025
On Monday, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch shut down trade speculation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, stating at the annual league meeting in Florida that the wide receiver is expected to remain with the team this year. Aiyuk suffered ACL and MCL injuries on October... -
Does 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk have a 'chance' to play Week 1?
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media this week at the NFL's annual meeting in Florida, providing a brief update on the status of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The veteran wideout is working his way back from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in... -
Projection of Early Return of 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Continues to Gain Traction
The big story of the 2024 pre-season in San Francisco was the long, arduous contract negotiation involving 49ers' star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. By the beginning of the regular season, his contract was done, but the drama continued. Aiyuk was viewed by some 49er fans...