49ers reveal trade plans with Brandon Aiyuk after falling out
· Yahoo Sports
49ers reveal trade plans with Brandon Aiyuk after falling out originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Francisco 49ers made a big decision in the middle of the 2025 NFL season, as they effectively cut ties with Brandon Aiyuk by changing the terms of his contract after a falling-out between the team and player.
Visit betsport24.es for more information.
Aiyuk has been rumored to be on the move, whether it was a release or the more unlikely scenario of a trade all offseason. After signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, Aiyuk won't be missed in San Francisco.
But, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed the team's trade plan with Aiyuk this offseason. The plan is clear: the 49ers want to get something in return for parting ways with Aiyuk this offseason.
49ers reveal trade plan with Brandon Aiyuk
"49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said the team hopes the team can get something in return for WR Brandon Aiyuk," Russini reports. "He said he's not sure when that might take place, 'I know we're in no rush to do that.'"
The 49ers are planning to trade Aiyuk, not release him, this offseason after their falling-out over the past year.
On paper, a wide receiver who had a 1,342-yard receiving season in 2023, and had his 2024 and 2025 seasons derailed partially due to injury, would be something worth taking a chance on.
However, for teams around the NFL, trading any valuable asset, even if it's only a late-round pick, might be too much of a risk for the uncertainty surrounding Aiyuk.
He didn't play at all in 2025 and hasn't suited up since the 49ers' seventh game of the 2024 NFL season. There's a chance that Aiyuk has lost a step or isn't fully healthy.
More: 49ers sign Mike Evans away from Buccaneers after 12 years
While a team won't be locked into giving up a pick for Aiyuk, as he'd need to pass a physical, giving a team acquiring Aiyuk a chance to do what the Baltimore Ravens did with Maxx Crosby if they don't like what they see.
But that situation isn't ideal for anyone, especially with a WR who struggled in 2024 even before his injury. Aiyuk might be someone the 49ers want to trade, as is their current plan, but that trade might not come to pass.
A team interested in Aiyuk might be better off waiting for him to be cut and sign him to a veteran minimum contract to get Aiyuk for free, just like how the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings did with Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray, respectively.
But, for now, the 49ers are looking to trade Aiyuk instead of simply releasing him. This saga might not go away for a while, especially since the 49ers are in no rush to resolve this issue.
More 49ers news:
- 49ers meet all 4 of Mike Evans' free agent criteria
- Mike Evans would be perfect free agent for 49ers
- Trent Williams could be Patriots trade target with shaky 49ers future
- Vederian Lowe to sign with 49ers on $12M max value deal
- 49ers were interested in Alex Pierce before $114M Colts deal
- Mac Jones trade demand from 49ers is ‘astronomical’ price