49ers Unlikely To Trade WR Brandon Aiyuk; Steelers Among Potential Suitors?
With Brandon Aiyuk having been moved to the reserve/left squad list, it is highly likely he has played his final game as a 49er. The veteran wideout’s future will presumably not include time spent in San Francisco in 2026, but it remains to be seen where his next NFL gig will come from. 
A trade could of course be worked out in this case. Since the 49ers voided future guarantees in Aiyuk’s contract, the pact should be much easier to absorb than it otherwise would have been. Still, interested teams would much prefer to add Aiyuk as a free agent rather than parting with draft capital to acquire a player known to be on the way out. To no surprise, then, Matt Barrows of The Athletic predicts (subscription required) the 49ers will proceed with a release this spring.
Per Barrows, Aiyuk is still held in high regard by his teammates despite the way things have unfolded in his case. That puts the 27-year-old in a different situation than someone like De’Vondre Campbell, whose standing with the team unraveled when he refused to re-enter a game in Week 15 last season. Nevertheless, Aiyuk’s relationship with the organization has been the subject of speculation dating back to contentions extension talks in 2024. Provided he is released, it will be interesting to see how many suitors pursue Aiyuk coming off a full season spent on the sidelines.
It was reported last week the Commanders are among the teams which can be expected to show interest on that front. A reunion between Aiyuk and former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels would certainly not come as a surprise. Indeed, Barrows points to Washington as one of the likeliest landing spots for Aiyuk. He adds Pittsburgh as a team to watch regarding an Aiyuk deal.
The Steelers were long mentioned as a contender to acquire the former second-team All-Pro prior to his extension being signed. Pittsburgh and San Francisco engaged in trade talks to the point where an agreement was reached between the teams. Aiyuk himself ended the possibility of a Steelers swap by informing the 49ers of his desire to stay. His four-year, $120MM extension was finalized immediately thereafter. Pittsburgh has since acquired and extended D.K. Metcalf, but otherwise the WR position remains a question mark for the team.
Aiyuk has only made seven appearances since signing that pact. His knee injury (which included ACL, MCL and meniscus tears) has resulted in an absence which stretched through the second half of last season and all of the current campaign. A return to action in time for 2026 should be expected, but a short list of serious suitors could emerge if/when he hits the open market.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/25
Wednesday’s NFL practice squad transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Montrell Johnson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: C Wesley French
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Nash Jones
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT Marcus Harris
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Jimmy Holiday
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G McClendon Curtis
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OLB Andre Carter II
- Released: TE Tanner Conner
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Caleb Etienne
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Amari Gainer
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR John Rhys Plumlee, RB Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S D’Anthony Bell
- Released: CB Tyler Hall
Martinez parted ways with San Francisco a week ago and signed with the Jets, who elevated him on Sunday to back up undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook. New York released him from their taxi squad yesterday, so Martinez has found his way back to the Bay Area.
2025 NFL Dead Money, By Team
As we head toward the playoffs, three NFL teams are carrying more than $100MM in dead money. That represents more than a third of the salary cap. The 49ers are also on track to make the playoffs with more than $100MM allocated to players no longer on their 53-man roster. Here is where the 32 teams stand for dead money (via OverTheCap) with three weeks left in the regular season:
- New Orleans Saints: $107.83MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $103.77MM
- New York Jets: $102.1MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $87.79MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $87.27MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $86.1MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $85.49MM
- Cleveland Browns: $83.22MM
- Miami Dolphins: $72.45MM
- Houston Texans: $66.44MM
- Tennessee Titans: $59.42MM
- Green Bay Packers: $57.98MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $56.23MM
- New England Patriots: $50.56MM
- Denver Broncos: $42.78MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $41.34MM
- Detroit Lions: $40.71MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $40.39MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $38.78MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $38.38MM
- Buffalo Bills: $37.58MM
- Carolina Panthers: $36.55MM
- New York Giants: $33.74MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $33.7MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $30.6MM
- Washington Commanders: $27.29MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $27MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $20.99MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $20.33MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $17.37MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $16.51MM
- Chicago Bears: $8.6MM
The $100MM trio dwarfs last year’s leaders — the Broncos — in this unwanted area. The Saints began taking some overdue medicine for their cap-gymnastics past by trading Marshon Lattimore last year. That move coming after June 1 pushed $31.67MM onto New Orleans’ 2025 cap sheet. Derek Carr also counts $19.2MM on this year’s Saints cap, while Ryan Ramczyk‘s retirement covers more than $11MM.
The Carr punishment covers $55.88MM in total, meaning nearly $37MM from the QB’s retirement will land on New Orleans’ 2026 payroll. Mickey Loomis‘ spree of restructures on that contract created that inflated figure.
Deebo Samuel brought a receiver-record dead money total to the 49ers, who absorbed $34.12MM by trading the seventh-year veteran in March. The second leg of the post-June 1 Arik Armstead transaction from 2024 created a $15MM dead cap hit this year, with void years on Charvarius Ward‘s deal covering more than $12MM.
Gang Green took on barely $20MM combined from the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades and will do the same next year, reflecting the low signing bonus figure on the Gardner extension. The Jets, though, have taken $56MM in total from the Aaron Rodgers release ($21MM this year, $35MM next). That is the second-highest total dead cap hit in NFL history.
The team that authorized the highest dead money sum in league annals — Denver, via the 2024 Russell Wilson release — is still carrying $32MM on that contract. It comes off the books next year, and the Broncos do not have any other player counting more than $3MM in dead cap on their 2025 payroll.
The Eagles and Seahawks are also moving toward the playoffs with higher dead money counts compared to the 2024 Broncos, though it should be noted the cap’s $24MM increase from last year plays into this. Philadelphia is still carrying a combined $26MM from the 2024 Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retirements. Josh Sweat void years also comprise $16.44MM of this year’s cap. The Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf trade brought $21MM in dead cap, while Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett and Dre’Mont Jones combine to cover more than $41MM in dead money.
Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith‘s 2024 Cleveland exits via trade tagged the Browns with more than $36MM in dead money together, while the Dolphins are dealing with more than $30MM combined from the post-June 1 designations on Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey. The latter counts $15.7MM in dead money this year and $20.9MM in 2026. That eclipses Lattimore’s defender-record total for dead cap.
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/16/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Jalen Brooks
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: RB Jawhar Jordan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: RB DeeJay Dallas
- Opened practice window: LB Jalen McLeod
- Placed on IR: LB Jack Kiser
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: DT Leki Fotu
New England Patriots
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: LB Chad Muma
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: S Jarius Monroe
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S D’Anthony Bell
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): G Garrett Dellinger
A steady presence in Arizona a couple years ago, Fotu started four of six game appearances for the Raiders this year. The occasional starts were not indicative of his true usage, though, as he hasn’t gotten consistent time on the field for Las Vegas in 2025. The Raiders will move on from the veteran as they shift focus in a lost season towards evaluating young talent with more gametime.
As a practice squad elevation this weekend, Jordan became the first Texans running back to eclipse the century mark in a game this year. Houston wasted little time in returning him to the active roster
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Sunday’s action provided more clarity on a number of fronts relating to the playoff pushes in each conference. The list of teams still in contention for the top pick in the 2026 draft remains long, however.
Week 15 saw the Broncos and Rams clinch a postseason berth. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, Bengals and Vikings have each officially been eliminated from the playoffs. They will join the group of teams turning their attention to offseason planning. That of course includes extensive evaluation of the top prospects in this year’s class; several have already turned pro (with some exceptions).
Sunday’s results mean there are nine teams with two, three or four wins. Each of them remain candidates to secure the No. 1 selection, although victories by the Saints and Commanders yesterday will greatly hinder their chances of moving to the top of the order. Jockeying amongst teams like the Raiders, Jets and Cardinals (each on track to pursue a new quarterback this spring) will be a storyline worth following closely down the stretch.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
- Tennessee Titans (2-12)
- Cleveland Browns (3-11)
- New York Jets (3-11)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
- New Orleans Saints (4-10)
- Washington Commanders (4-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Miami Dolphins (6-8)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
- Carolina Panthers (7-7)
- Detroit Lions (8-6)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- New England Patriots (11-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-2)
NFL Minor Transactions: 12/15/25
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Jamari Thrash
- Waived: G Garrett Dellinger
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: DT Mario Edwards Jr. (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: LB Quinton Bell
- Elevated: OL Kion Smith
- Waived: OLB Andre Carter II
New England Patriots
- Waived: LB Caleb Murphy
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Elevated: OL Jack Driscoll, DE DeMarvin Leal
- Waived: WR Ke’Shawn Williams
Jamari Thrash is already back on Cleveland’s active roster after getting waived the other day. The former fifth-round pick has only seen time in a single game since the beginning of November. Before that, he tallied 10 receptions for 107 yards.
In other receiver news, Marquez Valdes-Scantling made his way to the active roster for tonight’s game against the Dolphins. The veteran got into 16 offensive snaps during his Steelers debut in Week 14. Before that, he hauled in four catches for 40 yards in five appearances for the 49ers.
Steelers’ T.J. Watt Undergoes Surgery On Partially Collapsed Lung
DECEMBER 13: Dry needling is a common treatment for NFL players to relieve muscle pain, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Watt felt “extreme pain” after his dry needling session on Wednesday and was quickly sent to the hospital for treatment and further evaluation.
DECEMBER 12: Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was admitted to the hospital with a lung injury on Wednesday. Watt has since undergone successful surgery to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung, his brother J.J. Watt announced. He’ll be released from the hospital on Friday.
While Watt is expected to make a full recovery, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that he will not play on Monday against the Dolphins (via Brooke Pryor of ESPN). The seven-time Pro Bowler is expected to return this season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Watt’s collapsed lung came as a result of a dry needling procedure he underwent at the team facility. The NFLPA has been in contact with Watt and his representation since then, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. It’s unclear if Watt or the union will take any action against the Steelers. Then-Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a punctured lung while receiving a pain-killing injection in September 2020. Two years later, he sued the Chargers’ doctor for medical malpractice.
Taylor received medical clearance to return to action a month after he punctured his lung. It seems Watt will come back quicker than that, though even a one-game absence is unwelcome news at this stage of the season. With four weeks remaining, the 7-6 Steelers are trying to hold off the Ravens (6-7) and Bengals (4-9) for the AFC North title. It’ll be more difficult to do so without Watt, who will miss his 12th career game in Week 15. The Steelers have gone 1-10 without him, Armando Salguero of OutKick notes.
The 31-year-old Watt has continued serving as one of Pittsburgh’s most effective players this season. He has racked up 53 tackles, 10 TFL, a team-high seven sacks, and three forced fumbles in 13 games. The Steelers have two other strong edge rushers in Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, who have totaled 6.5 sacks apiece. They and fourth-round rookie Jack Sawyer, who has notched one sack while playing under 20% of defensive snaps, will have to pick up the slack while Watt’s out.
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt Hospitalized With Lung Injury
DECEMBER 12: Testing at the Steelers’ facility revealed a “tiny hole” in one of Watt’s lungs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (video link). That led to his hospitalization, and the issue has been addressed. A final determination for Week 15 has not yet been made, but Pelissero deems it unlikely that Watt – who merely needs time to recover at this point – will be available for Monday.
DECEMBER 11: Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been hospitalized due to a lung injury, per a team announcement.
The injury happened while Watt was receiving medical treatment at the Steelers’ facility on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that Watt is still in the hospital undergoing additional testing which will determine his status for their Week 15 matchup against the Dolphins.
Watt, 31, has started all 13 of the Steelers’ games this season with an 82% snap share. He is having another excellent season with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, which rank first and second on the team. He has also been credited with 43 pressures, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) which lead the Steelers and rank 19th in the NFL.
In other words, an absence from Watt would be a major blow to Pittsburgh’s defense, though they are positioned to withstand it in the short-term. The four-time All-Pro almost exclusively lines up on the left side of the defense with Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig splitting snaps on the right side. One of the two – likely Herbig – can fill some of Watt’s snaps off the left edge
Rookie Jack Sawyer will also be in line for some more opportunities. The second-round pick has appeared in every game this year but played just 182 snaps (19.4% snap share) without much production. Sawyer has primarily rotated in for Watt on the left side and should see an uptick if he cannot play. That could also result in a practice squad elevation for fourth-year defensive end DeMarvin Leal.
The Steelers will be monitoring Watt’s condition carefully over the next few days to evaluate his availability for Monday night’s game.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/11/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Chris Edmonds
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Tanner McLachlan
- Released: C Josh Kaltenberger
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OT Doug Nester
CB Desmond King Retires
Desmond King‘s NFL career has come to an end. The veteran cornerback and return specialist took to X to announce his retirement. 
King has not played in 2025, and his retirement announcement confirms he will not look to make a late-season return to the league. Nearing his 31st birthday, he will instead turn his attention to his post-playing days. King saw time with five different franchises over the course of his eight-year career.
A Chargers fifth-round pick in 2017, his NFL tenure began in Los Angeles and remained there until a November 2020 trade. King was dealt from the Chargers to the Titans, the team with which he finished playing out his rookie contract. During his first trip to free agency, a one-year Texans pact was worked out. King operated as a defensive starter during his debut Houston campaign, and he did so again the following year upon re-upping with the team.
After being released shortly before the start of the 2023 season, King had a brief spell with the Steelers. That was followed by a return to Houston which covered the remainder of the campaign. In 2024, similarly, King was cut after training camp before making one appearance with the Texans. His final NFL games took place as a member of the Ravens while serving as the team’s punt returner. Third phase success was a key factor early in King’s career; the Iowa product earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2018 for his work as a returner.
In all, King made a combined total of 113 regular and postseason appearances during his time in the NFL. He departs the game with $14MM in career earnings.