The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have been stuck in an ugly standoff for over a year. Even with the 2026 league year open and Aiyuk’s release expected, a trade has not happened, and ESPN’s Nick Wagoner says there is a clear reason for that. The structure of Aiyuk’s contract, as it currently stands, makes any trade nearly impossible without his approval.
A team acquiring him would need to renegotiate his deal first, which puts the decision back in Aiyuk’s hands. Wagoner told viewers, “I personally don’t think there will be a team that is going to trade for him. Brandon Aiyuk sorta has a de facto no trade clause without having a no trade clause.”
Why Any Trade Would Require Aiyuk to Accept New Contract Terms First
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The mechanics here matter. Aiyuk’s contract includes a $24.935 million option bonus that would be due by September 1 of the 2026 season. No team is handing over draft capital for a player and immediately absorbing that number on top of it.
That means any acquiring team would have to renegotiate with Aiyuk before the trade closes. As ESPN’s Wagoner and Dan Graziano explained, Aiyuk would have to agree to restructure his deal to make a trade financially workable. If he does not want to go somewhere, all he has to do is refuse.
Nick Wagoner on the 49ers possibly trading Brandon Aiyuk:
“I personally don’t think there will be a team that is going to trade for him. Brandon Aiyuk sorta has a de facto no trade clause without having a no trade clause in the sense that his current contact— if any team trades… pic.twitter.com/LR7xaBACQ3
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 20, 2026
This is not the first time Aiyuk has exercised that kind of leverage. During the 2024 offseason, the 49ers agreed to trades that would have sent him to the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers at various points. Aiyuk rejected all three. He stayed in San Francisco, signed a four-year, $120 million extension in August 2024, and then tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus just seven weeks into the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
He never played another snap. He sat out the entire 2025 season and was never medically cleared by the team. The 49ers voided his $27 million in 2026 guarantees during training camp after he failed to meet the contractual requirements tied to his rehabilitation.
The Release Path Grows More Likely as No Trade Partner Has Stepped Up
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) looks for yards after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter U.S. Bank Stadium.
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) looks for yards after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Wagoner reported with the new league year beginning that the 49ers plan to release Aiyuk, likely with a post-June 1 designation. That approach lets the team spread the dead money over two years instead of absorbing the full $29.585 million hit at once.
With the new league year set to begin today, the #49ers plan to release WR Brandon Aiyuk. 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,…
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 11, 2026
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch had kept a small window open for a trade. In February, Lynch told reporters that nothing would happen until the new league year and that a trade was still possible if a team showed interest. A week into the new league year, Aiyuk remains on the roster.
The Washington Commanders have emerged as the most likely landing spot if Aiyuk hits free agency. He played college football with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, and the two have remained close.
Washington’s receiver room also has openings after losing Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown. Still, ESPN’s John Keim reported that the Commanders would be unlikely to trade for him and would prefer to sign him on a one-year deal once he clears.
At 27, Aiyuk still has real ability. He put together a second-team All-Pro season in 2023, finishing with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. But the knee injury, the missed rehab, the year of silence from the facility, none of that is easy for any front office to look past.
Wherever he lands will be taking a risk. The question is whether any team believes the upside is worth it on a short-term contract with no guarantees.