Brandon Aiyuk was once a wide receiver that the San Francisco 49ers did everything in their power to keep.
Now, the organization seemingly wants to move on from him with no end in sight after a disastrous 2024 campaign.
After a 2023 season that saw Aiyuk go from All-Pro candidate to contract holdout, to torn ACL, the 49ers are now left with the realization they have a four-year deal with a player who created plenty of noise in the press on a contract worth over $120 million.
It should come as no surprise then that Dianna Russini of The Athletic believes San Fran wants to move on from the veteran.
"The 49ers have incentive to move Brandon Aiyuk before his April 1 payday," Russini said. "They've gotten some calls about him. We know that they signed him to a new contract last summer and we all know the drama that came with that. It's a $22.855 million roster bonus. There's some chatter that perhaps they're going to move him and that teams are interested."
Will they, though? That remains to be seen. At least according to Russini as well.
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"I don't get the sense that it's a reality," she said. "I'm sure that the 49ers would like to do it because of the finances. Why would a team be so open about this? There must be something else."
San Fran has already had to move Deebo Samuel elsewhere to get some needed cap relief. They have lost key players all across their defense as well.
With Aiyuk on a long-term deal and a team needing to create cap relief, the 49ers appear stuck with the receiver they once loved but are ready to move on from.
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This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM.