The saga between star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers continues. Aiyuk has been linked to the Washington Commanders this offseason to pair with his former college quarterback, Jayden Daniels. But the 49ers are unwilling to release the former Pro Bowl receiver in hopes of trading Aiyuk.
“We are available,” GM John Lynch said as he held up his phone. “Give us a call.”
The San Francisco 49ers general manager continued to break down the team’s willingness to trade Aiyuk.
“(Aiyuk) is an extremely talented and effective player in our league,” Lynch said. “The situation didn’t work itself out here. That is not to say it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. We would be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”
However, the 49ers are finding it hard to trade with another team, especially the Commanders, as Washington anticipates the 49ers will eventually release him.
Why Did Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers Not Work Out?
The 49ers took the former Arizona State product in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After showing flashes of explosiveness, Aiyuk finally eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his third season (2022). He had his best year with the 49ers in 2023, catching 75 passes for 1,342 receiving yards. Aiyuk helped lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance and was named a second-team All-Pro.
But things went south from there. The 49ers and Aiyuk were in a contract dispute after the 2023 season. San Francisco and the wideout finally agreed on a 4-year, $120 million contract. But Aiyuk only played in 7 games in 2024 before tearing his ACL and has not played a snap since.
The 49ers tried to trade Aiyuk in 2025, but nothing materialized. Aiyuk did not report to last season’s organized team activities as he continued rehabilitation. The 49ers then voided $26 million of Aiyuk’s guaranteed money.
Aiyuk is still under contract until 2028, but the 49ers have made it clear that his career with them is over.
GettySan Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
49ers Address the Wide Receiver Room This Offseason
The 49ers made two free agency signings to bolster their receiver group. They made a splash by signing 12-year veteran and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans to a 3-year, $42.4 million contract. Then signed Christian Kirk, who spent last season with the Houston Texans, to a 1-year, $6 million contract.
Then they selected Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling with their first pick and 33rd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Stribling is a 6-foot-2-inch wideout who ran a 4.36 at the NFL combine. Many were also impressed by his blocking, along with his explosiveness.
All three offseason additions will pair with a returning wide receiver room that includes former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and 10-year NFL veteran Demarcus Robinson.
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