The 49ers wish to extract some value for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk via trade, however the Commanders, who’ve been viewed because the likeliest Aiyuk destination, reportedly have no real interest in trading for him. Washington would only be considering Aiyuk if he were to be released, and the identical is seemingly true for other clubs who might consider a flier on the 28-year-old.
Two rival executives tell ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Aiyuk is solely “untradeable” (video link). At this point, the explanations for which are well-documented.
Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2024 season, lower than two months after signing a four-year, $120MM extension. He landed on PUP to start the 2025 campaign, and there was some belief he could make a late-season return to the lineup. But Aiyuk was described as “extremely distant” during his rehab, which led San Francisco to make the drastic decision to void the remaining guarantees on his contract.
More recently, we learned the Niners proceed to have difficulties getting in contact with the Arizona State product, which Fowler confirmed. The undeniable fact that Aiyuk has been on the shelf since October 2024, the strange rift along with his current club, and his contract situation have all conspired to make him an unappealing trade candidate.
Despite their decision to void Aiyuk’s remaining guarantees, the 49ers do owe him a ~$25MM option bonus in early September that, if exercised, can be prorated through 2030 (if declined, that cash can be due unexpectedly). In fact, an acquiring team would inherit that obligation, along with base salaries of $27.27MM in 2027 and $29.15MM in 2028. While those salaries should not guaranteed, the general picture doesn’t help GM John Lynch’s trade efforts.
Nonetheless, the September option date does create a deadline that continues to be several months away, so Lynch can string the method along within the hopes that a WR-needy club decides to take a chance. Fowler doesn’t foresee that occuring, though he doesn’t completely foreclose the likelihood that Lynch should give you the chance to salvage a trade here. Perhaps one other team will cope with an injury or underperformance in training camp that may make the possibility of Aiyuk replicating his stellar 2023 performance (75 catches for 1,342 yards and 7 TDs) definitely worth the risk.
As of Monday afternoon, Lynch will give you the chance to release Aiyuk as a post-June 1 cut, thereby allowing him to spread a $35MM dead money charge over the 2026 and ‘27 seasons.