Three teams that should still be in the market for help at wide receiver this offseason are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills.
The Steelers finally made a big swing on a No. 2 wide receiver with the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr., who will form a strong one-two punch with DK Metcalf. However, the Steelers are still lacking depth at the position.
The Bills made a similar big splash with the trade for DJ Moore with the Chicago Bears, but Buffalo doesn't have reliable options beyond Moore and Khalil Shakir, as both Joshua Palmer and Keon Coleman has been busts.
Washington has yet to add the No. 2 receiver it needs behind Terry McLaurin, with the team only making depth additions that leaves the group in an uninspiring spot.
One player who could become available for all three teams is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who was labeled as a cut candidate by Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox.
Brandon Aiyuk has been a cut candidate since November, when the San Francisco 49ers made it clear that they were ready to move on from the wide receiver. Aiyuk, who suffered a significant knee injury in 2024, didn't cooperate with San Francisco's plan for his recovery, and the 49ers decided to void his 2026 guarantees as a result, according to Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic.
Most expected the 49ers to release Aiyuk at the start of the new league year on March 11. However, San Francisco may be trying to get something in return via a trade before releasing him outright—though the return would be minimal.
Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL after signing a four-year, $120 million contract and did not play at all last season. Because of issues with their wide receiver, the Niners voided Aiyuk's guarantees and the expectation is he's done in San Francisco.
"I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners," 49ers general manager Lynch said of Aiyuk earlier this offseason. "It's unfortunate. A situation that just went awry."
Rumors have suggested the Niners are trying to find a trade partner first, but with the entire league knowing Aiyuk is 100% done in San Francisco, it's possible no teams bite and the Niners simply release the veteran wideout.
What Aiyuk will be able to offer after not having played a snap in the NFL since 2024 remains to be seen, so no team should be depending on him for a big role.
That's why he's a better fit with the Steelers and Bills rather then the Commanders, as Pittsburgh and Buffalo would need him as a No. 3 receiver, at best.
We don't think that would stop Washington from taking a swing on Aiyuk, though, and the Commanders have often been linked to the Arizona State product because of his ties to Jayden Daniels, Aiyuk's former college teammate.
"When the 49ers release Brandon Aiyuk and he signs with the Commanders, the expectation it will be a one-year deal," CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported.
The Steelers have also been connected to Aiyuk in the past. Before he signed his contract extension with the Niners, Pittsburgh was rumored to be working on a trade to acquire him.
While Aiyuk wouldn't shore up Washington's receivers room with the surefire No. 2 option it needs, we continue to believe the Commanders are his most likely landing spot and he will ultimately be playing with them in 2026.
More NFL News