The 49ers announce sad news about Brandon Aiyuk.
The 49ers announce sad news about Brandon Aiyuk. There has been plenty of speculation that the San Francisco 49ers are looking to trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason.
The team has already begun cost-cutting measures, including trading Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and avoiding expensive free-agent signings, leading to the departure of several key players. However, Aiyuk has not been part of that exodus—at least not yet. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, despite prior interest in a trade before his 2026 option becomes guaranteed on April 1, a deal is unlikely to happen.
One of the biggest reasons, aside from his contract extension last offseason, is Aiyuk’s injury status. He sustained a torn ACL, MCL, and additional ligament damage during a Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving his availability for the start of the 2025 season uncertain.
Adam Schefter: Aiyuk Unlikely to Return Until Midseason
On his podcast, ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided an update on Aiyuk’s recovery, which is promising but not without concerns.
“Nobody wants to take on the contract when there’s uncertainty about when he’ll be fully healthy,” Schefter explained. “But from what I understand, Dr. Neal ElAttrache (Aiyuk’s orthopedic surgeon) is happy with his progress.”
While this is positive news, there’s still no guarantee Aiyuk will return to his pre-injury form. Even if teams are interested in trading for him, the compensation the 49ers receive would likely be minimal.
Schefter added, “He’s making progress. I’d expect him to be ready by midseason, and maybe there’s a team willing to take a chance and acquire a great player recovering from injury for a low price.”
However, any team taking on Aiyuk would assume significant financial risk, with his contract carrying over $33 million in 2027 and nearly $40 million in 2028—though there’s no guaranteed money left, according to Over the Cap.
Given that Aiyuk likely won’t contribute until midway through 2025, teams may be hesitant to offer more than a low-value trade package. If no deal happens before April 1, it appears increasingly likely that Aiyuk will remain with the 49ers despite ongoing trade rumors.
