This would be doing the Niners a huge favor…

It’s clear that the San Francisco 49ers are desperate to try to get something, literally anything, for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Bleacher Report recently proposed a trade between San Francisco and the Tennessee Titans that would be an absolute gift from Robert Saleh.

BR’s Kristopher Knox proposed a deal where the Titans would get Aiyuk in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The 49ers would absolutely leap at that opportunity if it presents itself, especially

It was assumed for a while that the Niners would just release Aiyuk after they voided the remainder of the disgruntled receiver’s contract. San Francisco has time to release him though so they are going to go down every avenue to try to get something for him so they aren’t just giving him away for free.

The San Francisco 49ers are just waiting for someone to trade for Brandon Aiyuk

Going to the Titans would make a lot of sense. Saleh didn’t really get to see Aiyuk at his peak with the 49ers because he was the head coach of the New York Jets at the time, but there was overlap during his rookie season back in 2020.

It would make sense to bring in a guy like Aiyuk to help out young quarterback Cam Ward. Aiyuk is still just 28 and even though he hasn’t played since the major knee injury he suffered in 2024, he could still have some solid football left in him after surpassing 1,000 yards in both 2022 and 2023.

He’d at least give Ward an established target to throw to and would be playing for a rebuilding team where the stakes are lower and the spotlight is not quite as bright as if he went to a contender. And if healthy, he could easily supplant Wan’Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley as Ward’s favorite target.

Really, it would be a generous move from Saleh to throw the Niners a bone if the Titans did trade for Aiyuk. Maybe it could be a nice little parting gift since Saleh only had a one-year reunion with San Francisco in 2025 before departing for another head coaching opportunity.

Yet, it still seems fairly unlikely that any team will want to trade for Aiyuk. Many have to view him as damaged goods after the way things went in San Francisco. Even Aiyuk’s own personal coach can’t defend his behavior.

The Washington Commanders have been another obvious potential landing spot for some time but they have seemed to signal they do not want to trade for Aiyuk.

Teams may just want to wait until the 49ers eventually have to release Aiyuk and then sign him to a one-year “prove it” deal, but if Saleh and the Titans are feeling generous and want to cut the line then the 49ers would be more than happy to oblige.