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.
Steelers finally have had a drama free season. I don’t know if they want to go after Aiyuk.
I could see them taking a WR in the first 2 rounds and add a veteran at half the cost of Aiyuk.
One of the first 2 rounds, not both
Yeah, despite nearly everyone here talking about how Rodgers was going to destroy the Steelers’ legacy and what not, the only issues that they’ve had have been on the field, not off. If Rodgers doesn’t re-sign and retires, Pittsburgh will have a new quarterback (likely with little or significantly less starting experience, unless they go after Cousins and wait to select a rookie another year) who will have to manage Aiyuk. It could be a handful if Aiyuk is a malcontent.
It would be a mistake for anyone to part with draft capital for a high priced, somewhat injured, poorly motivated receiver.
There are great receivers and running backs available in the NFL draft in rounds one and two every year. They come in on rookie contracts.
Successful teams don’t seem to be able to economise enough on QB’s and edge rushers. They can’t economise on OL through rookie contracts (great offensive linemen hit their stride in season three or four and get better through season six).
Wide receiver and running back are the expensive positions where rookie contracts really benefit the team and players on rookie contracts are enough.
Perhaps a team can afford one high priced WR or RB but that’s about it. To leave enough salary cap for the OL, QB and defense, the rest has to come from draft contract talent or journeymen.
I could see a team sending a late round draft pick if they were desperate for a WR2.
I agree with everything that you said Alec. I need to ask, though, HOW did you get italics to work on this site?
Italics is just with the html italic tags. It would be great if PFR comments supported Markdown formatting (easier) but for now they only support html.
Steelers won’t have an expensive QB but Metcalf and Aiyuk would be one expensive WR room
Aiyuk is not getting big money, he tore multiple ligaments in knee, didn’t play following season, and seems like he quit on team by not wanting to show up.
Another small red flag is that he quit on a playoff team that red hot right now. Even if you are not happy, its playoff time and time to show what your made of. If that doesn’t motivate you, why even try to play next year?
I think this guy has something wrong upstairs. That last tweet he put out, he has that far off look on his face. I remember his family mouthing off on social media while he was working on his new contract. Something tells me they aren’t helping his decision making very much.
This may be the most confusing headline and first paragraph of a sports article ever. Everyone knows he’ll be traded for a ham snadwich in the offseason…so many words to say nothing.
Headline should have read: “Bills fans getting harder to please” 🙂
Do a 5th round pick swap…the new team still keeps the pick, just perhaps 10-15 picks later & they also get presumptively a motivated Aiyuk, who will be looking for a new deal after next year
Sure because Mike Tomlin has a great history of being able to control diva players.
NOT.
The Steelers control them by trading them. WR specifically
AB
S Holmes
M Bryant
Claypool
D Johnson
Pickens
Etc etc
Tomlin is a horrible coach who is being paid for past performances while winning with a team that was mostly built prior to his arrival.
He actually has. No one knew Antonio Brown was crazy until he left. Got 99%of Bell’s production out of him before he left there and fleeced the Jets. Claypool has like 15 total catches for three or four different teams since leaving there. Pickens is the only one who left there and did better and that’s because his QB situation improved with the swtich, yet he’s still not going to the playoffs. At one point, that locker room was an insane asylum.
Yeah, he allows these children to do whatever they want instead of managing them.
These madmen play while they are in Pittsburgh, suggesting that Tomlin is doing a reasonable job with diva/difficult cases. Doing a great job of trading them away before they blow up as well. LeVeon Bell was the only situation which got completely out-of-hand.
The Steelers were running Bell into the ground. I can understand his resentment. It’s possible that the implosion of his career kept Bell out of a wheelchair, as no one should have that many touches/season.
He permits their actions to poison and harm the team. AB, Pickens, Bell, Harrison, Bryant, Holmes, Diontae, Claypool, and Blount.
If you can ignore the continual issues over long periods of time you can’t be convinced.
Someone help me understand. If at least two teams are interested in him, wouldn’t a trade makes sense to ensure that team gets Aiyuk versus waiting until free agency when he can choose his own team.
It would seem the 49ers would prefer a trade and get something back verse allowing him to go in free agency and get nothing in return
Pretty sure he will still have to agree with the team. They voided his contract, he still not playing with no guarantees. He is going to have a low contract in FA but will still get some kind of guarantee money.
All the void does is stop the guaranteed money. The contract is still worth at the same cost as the original. If the new team won’t pay the previous salary, the new team would have to cut Aiyuk.
There’s no reason for a team to acquire Aiyuk’s rights unless they plan to pay him full whack. Which in 2026 is a manageable $15,390,281.
In 2027, Aiyuk’s cap balloons to $41,449,281. Any team who acquires him at best gets a one year rental until Aiyuk hits full free agency.
You’d be taking a big risk on a banged up player with attitude. If I’m a GM I wait until the off season and see where he is before I give him any contract.
They’re going to get a comp pick.
F him
No thanks,he played the Steelers before why even consider that
I told you he’s going to get paid.