If the San Francisco 49ers are serious about trading wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, they’ll need to act soon.
The 49ers have spent most of March shedding salary by cutting or trading players off of their roster, with many reporters around the team saying those moves are mostly financially motivated. And if the Niners wanted to shed more salary, their biggest chance is coming with Aiyuk.
In the fine print of the four-year, $120 million contract extension Aiyuk signed last fall after a series of tense negotiations, there’s a $31 million injury guarantee that vests on April 1, according to Over The Cap. If the 49ers don’t want to be obligated to give Aiyuk that money, then, they’d have to find a team who is willing to go on the hook for the $31 million.
It’s why rumors about an Aiyuk trade have been percolating for a few weeks, with Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz adding new fodder to the news cycle on Wednesday.
The 49ers have already shown their willingness to part with All-Pro wide receivers this offseason, sending Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick. Moreover, general manager John Lynch has express openness to the idea of parting with Aiyuk, telling Sports Illustrated, “In the last four years, we’re the fourth-highest cash-spending team. So at some point, you have to reset a little bit, or at least recalibrate. You can’t just keep pressing the pedal.
“I think there’s some good that can come out of that. We need to get younger.”
But moving Aiyuk could be a tall order, given the 27-year-old is coming off major surgery. Aiyuk missed the majority of the 2024-25 season after tearing his ACL and MCL last October. With Aiyuk’s injury and looming payday, San Francisco would be selling low if they move him now.
It’s also hard to see which team might be a fit. The Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns were reportedly interested in Aiyuk last fall before the extension. But this offseason, the Commanders traded for Samuel, the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf and the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs, so all three appear to be out of any Aiyuk sweepstakes. Where the Browns stand is up for debate, though they do have No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and may want the veteran receiver on the roster if they select a rookie quarterback.
That being said, a trade remains the least likely outcome because of the recent injury and tricky finances.
“I don’t get the sense that it’s a reality,” said the Athletic’s Dianna Russini on her podcast on Tuesday. Although she added she’s “sure” the 49ers would like to make a deal.
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