The San Francisco 49ers have already made multiple moves this offseason. They parted ways with Deebo Samuel and Malik Mason, among others. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s name has constantly surfaced as the next to leave San Francisco.
The 2024 NFL season was a chaotic one for Aiyuk. He couldn’t find a middle ground with the 49ers and requested a trade. The 49ers always wanted to extend their star wide receiver but kept the door open for other clubs and Aiyuk to negotiate a deal.
After missing the mandatory minicamp, Aiyuk put pen to paper for a four-year-long contract extension worth $120 million in August. The deal will keep him in San Francisco through the 2028 season. A season that started after a lengthy standoff came to an early end for the 49ers’ wide receiver.
The 27-year-old tore his ACL and MCL in the Week 7 clash against the Kansas City Chiefs. He caught 25 of his 47 targets for 374 yards and no touchdowns before getting sidelined for the remainder of the season. The timeline for Aiyuk’s return is still unclear.
It’s a similar story for the 49ers WR in the 2025 offseason as well. Aiyuk has been linked to multiple teams as he recovers from his injuries, which has frustrated the former first-round pick.
“They was talking bout trading me while I was off percocets /muscle relaxers and peeing in a cup by my bed! Couldn’t walk for 10 weeks ain’t nobody trading for me 🤣💀,” Aiyuk wrote on his YouTube Channel.
It’s unlikely for the 49ers to trade Aiyuk this season, especially after they sent Samuel to the Washington Commanders. Aiyuk is likely to take the WR mantle upon his return to the gridiron. He might be the X-factor for the franchise in the upcoming season.
The Aiyuk-49ers saga might take a steep turn in the 2026 offseason. The wide receiver might expect a trade again, considering the way his trade rumors swirl every year. If he manages an early return and displays a glimpse of his true potential in 2025, many teams might line up for him.
The 49ers have shown their faith in Aiyuk by offering him a hefty contract. But if the trade rumors continue to flow, it might not be long before the wide receiver demands a way out in frustration.
