The San Francisco 49ers‘ drama with All-Pro WR Brandon Aiyuk appears to be nearing its end. After not playing at all in 2025 due to a knee injury, Aiyuk seemed to have a falling out with 49ers coaches and brass, resulting in a tense relationship described by some as “nonexistent.” The expectation for months has been that Aiyuk will be released upon the start of new league year.
Aiyuk suffered a major knee injury midway through the 2024 season and he was not expected to be ready to play early in the 2025 season. However, the expectation from San Francisco was that he’d be able to play at some point last year, except that didn’t happen. Aiyuk stopped showing up to the 49ers’ facility and ignored calls from coaches and staff, a wholly unorthodox situation. Because Aiyuk breached the terms of his contract, the 49ers were able to void the rest of the guaranteed money left on his contract, paving the way for San Francisco to move on from the embattled receiver.
A former first-round pick out of Arizona State, Aiyuk’s best season came in 2023 when he was named a second-team AP All-Pro with 105 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. The season prior he had 114 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.
NFL Insider Provides Bizarre Update Regarding San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
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Appearing on NFL Live on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter had an interesting — and odd — update regarding the 49ers’ plans with Aiyuk.
“Well first and foremost, I know [the report] says [the 49ers] are planning to release [Aiyuk], but I would like to add on that they’re not planning to release him anytime soon,” Schefter said. “They essentially have no guaranteed money left in his contract, so they can hold onto him for the time being. They could hold onto him into the draft and see if they can flip him for a pick at that point in time, they can hold onto him until June. They’ve paid him an awful lot of money.”
“I don’t think this is happening anytime soon despite the report,” Schefter continued. “And I think they will be holding onto him for a little while to see if there’s any trade value at all. Washington does make a lot of sense. [Aiyuk] played with [Commanders QB] Jayden Daniels in college. They’re very close. Jayden Daniels I’m sure would love to play again with Brandon Aiyuk, but I don’t get the sense that the 49ers are in any rush to move on from Brandon Aiyuk even though we know eventually they will.”
The San Francisco 49ers Retooled at Wide Receiver Even Without Brandon Aiyuk
One of the reasons the 49ers can afford to move on from Aiyuk is because of who they just signed in free agency. It’s shocking to see Buccaneers franchise legend Mike Evans sign elsewhere, but the future Hall of Fame receiver is coming to San Francisco to be the new top target for 49ers QB Brock Purdy.
Despite being well into his thirties at this point, Evans is still one of the most productive receivers in the league when healthy. He’ll give this 49ers offense a reliable, go-to option in the passing game.
