Kyle Shanahan sounds very much like he knows how 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk saga will end in latest comments

Brandon Aiyuk, at least from the outside, appears to be stuck in limbo.

The San Francisco 49ers, having previously explored trading the wide receiver and agreed frameworks with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, re-engaged in contract talks with All-Pro wide receiver. The 49ers had reportedly been unwilling to do so since their last offer in May.

But with no signs of progress towards a deal, Aiyuk's future remains unclear heading into a season that right now would see him play on the fifth-year option. The 49ers haven't made him a satisfactory offer, and a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom the Niners have held talks, does not appear imminent.

During his Monday press conference, however, head coach Kyle Shanahan sounded like a man confident the 49ers will hang on to their leading receiver from the last two seasons.

Aiyuk is holding in, reporting to camp but not practicing. Shanahan had previously said Aiyuk's presence in team meetings could still be beneficial in helping him prepare for the new season.

Asked if Aiyuk was doing any conditioning work to ready himself for the 2024 campaign, Shanahan gave a forthright response.

“Not with us. I trust Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play," said Shanahan. "I have a feeling he’s finding a way to stay in shape and do those things.

"But there’s a football shape element that I know he is eager to get back to and us too. So hopefully we can get to that soon. But Brandon knows what he’s got to do to be in shape for the season and I feel confident he is doing that."

Shanahan describing both sides being eager to get Aiyuk in football shape is a marked contrast to last week when news of the 49ers being open to shopping the 2020 first-round pick dominated his press conference.

“It’s been, at this point, for a little bit. So it’s nothing really new to me. You’re always disappointed when you can’t keep a hold of all your players or it’s not going exactly right," Shanahan said last Tuesday.

"I don’t like losing anybody. That’s why I’m hoping it does work out here. But right now, we don’t have that solved yet. I hope it does."

From going to speaking of hope while offering answers that suggested being resigned to losing Aiyuk, to this week talking about both sides' desire to get him ready for the new season, Shanahan's change in language is indicative of a coach who knows which way the wind is blowing in this protracted saga, and it suggests he can probably look forward to having his best receiver on the roster for many years to come.

Related: 49ers set to receive crucial update on All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga's injury recovery this week