San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon AIyuk
Getty
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon AIyuk
Despite the ongoing back-and-forth between the San Francisco 49ers and star wideout Brandon Aiyuk, some team insiders expressed a small glimmer of hope that the two sides could work through their differences.
San Francisco voided nearly $27 million in guaranteed money from Aiyuk’s contract heading into the 2026 season after the 27-year-old receiver failed to meet his contractual obligations regarding his injury recovery.
Rumors started forming that the 49ers could look to trade Aiyuk before the 2026 season opener, but given his injury uncertainty and the headache he was to the 49ers over the last year, he had little trade value, meaning a release was a much more likely outcome.
Aiyuk Learns 49ers Fate
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
GettySan Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
In the weeks since the season ended, it became clear San Francisco was ready to cut ties with Aiyuk and move on.
According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, with the new league year officially starting, the 49ers will release Aiyuk at some point over the next few days.
“With the new league year set to begin today, the #49ers plan to release WR Brandon Aiyuk,” Wagoner reported. “Could happen as soon as today, but certainly soon. Washington is the most likely landing spot for Aiyuk, probably on a one-year prove it deal.
“SF is expected to use post June 1 designation, which is why they had to wait until new league year begins. … SF will also get a credit of $4.987 million toward the 2027 cap. The Niners, of course, will save significant amounts in future years by getting Aiyuk off the books.”
Designating Aiyuk as a post-June 1 cut saves the 49ers roughly $6.3 million in cap space and incurs an $8.3 million dead-cap charge, according to Over the Cap.
With Aiyuk’s impending departure, the 49ers’ WR depth chart lacks some obvious depth behind Ricky Pearsall, Mike Evans, and Demarcus Robinson.
Where Could Aiyuk Land?
Former Arizona State teammates Brandon AIyuk and Jayden Daniels
GettyFormer Arizona State teammates Brandon AIyuk and Jayden Daniels
The most likely landing spot for Aiyuk is believed to be with the Washington Commanders.
Aiyuk was teammates with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State years ago, and the two have remained close friends ever since.
In fact, when Aiyuk was seeking a trade two years ago during his contract dispute with the 49ers, he mentioned the Commanders as a team he would accept a trade to.
Other WR-needy teams that could be in the mix include the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and New England Patriots. The Patriots are looking to add more weapons around Drake Maye after cutting Stefon Diggs last week.
New England agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs on Tuesday, but the team is still reportedly in the market for another top wideout.
Conversely, the Bills traded for former Chicago Bears receiver DJ Moore, but with Buffalo’s push to keep its Super Bowl window open, adding a former All-Pro wide receiver could be another all-in kind of move to help quarterback Josh Allen.