The Brandon Aiyuk Era in San Francisco is unofficially over, and most expect the team to trade him at some point in the offseason. A first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Aiyuk quickly established himself as the team’s most reliable receiver and earned a massive four-year, $120 million extension after helping the team reach the Super Bowl in the 2023 season. However, this proved to be a poor investment, as Aiyuk tore his ACL and reportedly went AWOL on the organization during rehab. The 49ers voided all the unpaid guarantees in his contract, signifying a point of no return for the player and organization.
While it’s safe to assume Brandon Aiyuk has played his last game with the 49ers, a recent report suggests the team won’t be able to trade him. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, organizations around the league aren’t willing to give up a draft pick for Aiyuk’s services, so the team will likely have to release him.
REPORT: 49ers Likely To Release, Not Trade, Brandon Aiyuk
It’s clear that Aiyuk’s antics drastically impacted his value, as Barrow’s report implies teams won’t even send a seventh-round pick for his services. Chances are, Aiyuk will have to sign a one-year, prove-it deal to re-establish his value, and the following three teams could be willing to pursue him.
Main Photo: D. Ross Cameron – Imagn Images
