San Francisco appears set on moving on from Brandon Aiyuk, but the process is turning into a drawn-out standoff shaped by health concerns, contract complexity and limited trade interest.
General manager John Lynch signaled shortly after the 2025 season that a separation was coming, and that stance has remained intact through the offseason. Coach Kyle Shanahan recently reinforced that direction, though he made it clear the team is willing to be patient if a worthwhile offer does not surface.
"I don't have a date for it," Shanahan said. "But I know eventually it'll resolve itself. Hopefully, we could get something for [him]. And I know we're in no rush to do that."
Aiyuk has not played since Oct. 20, 2024, when he suffered ACL, MCL and meniscus damage in his right knee. He also has not communicated with the team since late November, adding another layer of uncertainty. Despite that, owner Jed York left a narrow door open for a potential return.
"I think anything is possible, right?" York said. "We want to make sure that we have as talented of a roster as possible."
The key date shaping everything is Sept. 1, when a $24.935 million option bonus becomes due. San Francisco does not urgently need cap relief, which allows the front office to wait in hopes of extracting even minimal trade value instead of releasing him outright.
Contract hurdles and thin trade market complicate Aiyuk outcome
Financial structure remains the biggest obstacle to any deal. Aiyuk’s 2026 base salary sits at $1.215 million, but the option bonus creates two unattractive paths for a potential buyer. Exercising it spreads cap impact through 2030, while declining it pushes his 2026 earnings above $26 million. Future salaries escalate further to $27.274 million in 2027 and $29.15 million in 2028, making the risk difficult to justify given his injury and absence.
Any acquiring team would likely seek a reworked contract, which introduces another complication since that would give Aiyuk influence over his destination. If San Francisco releases him before June 1 with a post-June 1 designation, nearly $30 million in dead money would be split into $13.325 million in 2026 and $21.247 million in 2027. A trade carries the same totals but lacks that flexibility unless executed after June.
Interest around the league has been minimal. The Washington Commanders remain the most logical fit due to front-office familiarity and Aiyuk’s connection with quarterback Jayden Daniels, yet there is no indication that a deal is imminent. At this stage, a late-round return, possibly in future drafts, appears to be the ceiling.
There is also a slim possibility of reconciliation, similar to past roster reversals in San Francisco. Still, given the stalled communication, medical uncertainty, and financial burden, the more likely outcome remains a delayed exit rather than a clean resolution.
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