Two NFL execs hit Brandon Aiyuk with unsavory trade label as 49ers seek deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers have made it clear they would rather trade Brandon Aiyuk than release him, but finding a deal for the disgruntled wide receiver amid his puzzling behavior is proving difficult.
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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed as much Sunday on “SportsCenter,” revealing conversations he had with two NFL executives who shared their thoughts on Aiyuk.
“I talked to two rival executives who believe that he’s simply untradeable right now — that it’s going to be hard to move on because of the knee issue, didn’t play at all last year,” Fowler said, also citing Aiyuk’s highly publicized lack of communication with the 49ers and his contract as reasons.
“He’s kind of ghosted the 49ers at times; they haven’t really had a lot of communication with him. And then you’ve got the contract. So, if he is released at some point this summer, the 49ers have a clear runway that can save about $20 million on the cap. There would be interest at that point certainly; maybe they can salvage a trade. Probably not is my feeling right now.”
As 49ers fans awaited Aiyuk’s return from his 2024 knee injury last season, it was revealed the wideout had stopped communicating with the team and subsequently had his guarantees voided for infractions over the summer after signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension in August 2024. The team also placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list.
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In a press conference at the end of the 2025 NFL season, 49ers general manager/president of football operations John Lynch said it was “safe to say” Aiyuk had played his last snap for San Francisco — but the front office since has been in no rush to release him as they wait and see if they can receive something in return from any receiver-hungry teams.
“No new update right now,” Lynch told reporters of the Aiyuk situation after the 2026 NFL Draft, holding up his cell phone. “We’re available. Give us a call.”
“Like I said earlier, I think it’s the prudent thing to do,” Lynch added of holding onto Aiyuk, for now. “He’s an extremely talented player; he’s been an extremely effective player in our league. The situation didn’t work itself out here. That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. We’d be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”
As Fowler noted, the 49ers still can create $20 million in salary-cap space by releasing Aiyyk after June 1 if a trade partner isn’t found. And as of right now, that appears to be the most likely outcome.
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