The 49ers want to extract some value for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk via trade, but the Commanders, who have been viewed as the likeliest Aiyuk destination, reportedly have no interest in trading for him. Washington would only be interested in Aiyuk if he were to be released, and the same is apparently true for other clubs who might consider a flier on the 28-year-old.
Two rival executives tell ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Aiyuk is simply “untradeable” (video link). At this point, the reasons for that are well-documented.
Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2024 season, less than two months after signing a four-year, $120MM extension. He landed on PUP to begin the 2025 campaign, and there was some belief he could make a late-season return to the lineup. But Aiyuk was described as “extremely distant” during his rehab, which led San Francisco to make the drastic decision to void the remaining guarantees on his contract.
More recently, we learned the Niners continue to have difficulties getting in touch with the Arizona State product, which Fowler confirmed. The fact that Aiyuk has been on the shelf since October 2024, the strange rift with his current club, and his contract situation have all conspired to make him an unappealing trade candidate.
Despite their decision to void Aiyuk’s remaining guarantees, the 49ers do owe him a ~$25MM option bonus in early September that, if exercised, would be prorated through 2030 (if declined, that money would be due all at once). Of course, an acquiring team would inherit that obligation, in addition to base salaries of $27.27MM in 2027 and $29.15MM in 2028. While those salaries are not guaranteed, the overall picture does not help GM John Lynch’s trade efforts.
However, the September option date does create a deadline that is still several months away, so Lynch can string the process along in the hopes that a WR-needy club decides to take a gamble. Fowler does not foresee that happening, though he does not completely foreclose the possibility that Lynch may still be able to salvage a trade here. Perhaps another team will deal with an injury or underperformance in training camp that will make the chance of Aiyuk replicating his stellar 2023 performance (75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven TDs) worth the risk.
As of Monday afternoon, Lynch will be able to release Aiyuk as a post-June 1 cut, thereby allowing him to spread a $35MM dead money charge over the 2026 and ‘27 seasons.
I am glad the Steelers dodged that bullet!
Man, I really hope Aiyuk is okay. This behavior is so harmful to himself- he’s already cost himself millions of dollars, but also burning bridges and putting himself in a terrible light- it’s remindful of the behavior of people who are spiralling deep into depression and cutting themselves off from everything good in their life. Just the fact that this seemed to crop up after the injury, and being away from football, I dunno… all of this is speculation, but I’ve encountered similar patterns with people in my life, and it’s raising all kinds of red flags.
I know it’s easy to dunk on this guy right now. And if it turns out this is just spoiled athlete petulance, well, there’s plenty of time to continue dunking on him later. But we should keep an open mind that Aiyuk might not even like how he’s behaving, but is in a place right now that he can’t stop spiraling and maybe even actively forcing events to get worse.
Denial is probably the biggest obstacle messed up people have to overcome but almost every city with a significant population has a crisis number that can be called to get help when things are spiraling out of control.
Oh there’s hotlines? Well that solves it.
Not all problems have solutions but if you never admit there is a problem and ignore those offering help… what does that get you?
I don’t know what his problem is but it sure sounds like he has one. And if recent history is any proof of what can happen if you don’t get help it also might end badly.
The tragedy is that so many people get trapped into feeling they have to suffer alone in silence. Men in particular are brainwashed into believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness.
Danny Ferry was right
Why give him and everyone else what they want. Your gonna take the hit no matter what. Keep the crybaby on the team on the sideline and if he chooses not to play or show up then his career is over. Reason why these ppl and everyone else in society today get away with this is cuz yall forgot yall backbone. You let cry babies get their way. Man how this was never a problem in the 90’s and 80’s. You ppl let feelings rule the world instead of reason and wonder why everything is going to hell smh
Who are “these people”?
Ahisma, these people looks to mean cry babies if you follow the flow of the comment.
Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill.
Really 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 so jaded everything got to be racist. No doubt where your mind sits everyday victim
He mentioned ‘crybaby’ twice, so maybe that’s a hint.
And just so you have a clear answer YOU PPL is everyone on this planet. Everyone who feeds into emotions rather then reason. Ppl who look at at situation and instead of the truth make thier own. Look around if you cant see that happens everyday everywhere then there truly nothing else that can be said. Being blind to the chaos is a choice which He gave us. Sincerely I wish you the best
They have zero plans to give anybody what they want. As long as he stays away, they will save more cash and cap space. Ayiuk has to show up to 49er HQ and report to work to get released. If he doesn’t, he goes back on the Left Team List and his cap hit will only be the pro-rated signing bonus hit as long as he stays away.
Its amazing how much people like you will pay to make someone you dont like suffer.
It’s amazing how people like you think a player can throw a tantrum and a team should roll over and give him what he wants. Maybe he should just up to work and take some responsibility.
I didn’t say the team should do anything. Why cant any of you people read?
I said you had a problem because you are so desperate to hurt people you will pay any price. I think its sick.
You want a professional sports team to make moves to hurt a player. Instead of a roster spot with someone who can help you win you are going to divide the locker room, make it a worse place to play, spend money and create bad feelings only so you can make a player suffer.
Its sad that this even needs to be explained. Ridiculous that the concept is confusing.
Pathetic to pretend I claimed they should do anything at all for the player.
Again, all he has to do is just show up to work and he can get his release. It’s all on him. The team is just doing what’s best for the organization and that’s what they should be doing.
Hope this loser saved his money
Love how you call someone that may have mental issues a loser. Be better.
Love how you assume with 0 evidence. Making excuses for everything and everyone is why things are they way they are.
Jesus would be proud.
Umm Jesus calls you to open your eyes not be blind and be led around by others. Not to conform to the world but stand alone if necessary. Thats a good try though. I read my Bible daily maybe you should as well. No judgment just a suggestion
Yet, I’m sure you’re blindly led around by Trump. Isn’t calling someone a “loser” without any kind of evidence an affront to Jesus’ teaching? Much like kicking out brown people for the crime of trying to better their lives?
But MS13 and gangs?! Yeah. Trump is chasing kindergarteners because the gangs are too tough for his ICE incompetents to handle and he doesn’t want to look like a joke.
Ephesians 4:29-30 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Colossians 3:7-8 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
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Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell.
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Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
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link to biblereasons.com
Assume what with no evidence?
What excuse was made?
You’re attacking someone for saying don’t assume guilt.
Try not doing whatever it is that makes you feel so guilty that this triggers you. You’re obviously traumatized.
That Aiyuk is a loser. It is right in the first post.
You put all those verses brother and show something completely different. We all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. No one not even you are perfect. Assuming someone is going through something with 0 evidence is just feed into the world of excuse and excusing behaviors that shouldn’t be. He calls us not to be of the world. Not their thoughts will or wants. Again not judgemental just an observation. I love talking about the Lord if you would like to have this conversation fr I would love to. Cuz where 2 or more come in His name He is there. We are also called to judge those in chirst. I have absolutely 0 issues with admitting im wrong a lot let my feeling rule my world. Yet its because of that very thing is why I can see it and call it out. God and peace be with you fr
Don’t barf out God like he’s an excuse for your mistakes or general stupidity.
Answer to my accusations or go cry to your mommy. If you dont have any problem admitting you were wrong, do it like a man. Don’t hide it in the middle of some inane missive about God and perfection. Get a friggin clue.
Quit being so hateful while quoting the bible about hate. Your being a hypocrite fr. You need to look at yourself and quit projecting. Read how you started that thread and then quoted the exact opposite. Nothing else left to say. At the end we will know where we stand with Him. It shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks except Him. Only one spitting hate is you and the lady above but I digress your incharge of your own salvation and need to come to terms with Him and noone else. God Bless you.
Get help. You desperately need it.
And stop talking about God and the Bible if you think anything I said is a Bible quote.
You’re a faud.
You don’t know that. Waller quit football because he wasn’t that interested in it. The center of the Bears just retired because he wanted out before he got injured, and had the money to do so.
Players are retiring younger and younger now
Does he even want to continue playing? I suspect something serious is going on with him that isn’t football related.
Maybe, maybe not, but it doesn’t change the fact that Aiyuk is still untradeable.
Having doubts or struggles is one thing. Not answering the phone when your multimillion dollar employer calls is another. Teams will stump for a lot, but they won’t stump for wasting their money.
Starting to happen: I made $20 – $30 Mil clear. I get a serious injury (if you ever had 1 or more, it is NOT fun). Why play football/baseball/bb/Hockey(sort of)? I have more than enough in the bank, I have more coming for doing nothing. OHNO, I will never get into the sports writers HoF!!!; and, I will never work again, OHNO!!! OR, I will actually USE MY DEGREE and become the AD at Stanford so I do not get bored.
He’s an Idiot, and His Parents are probably Idiots too !!
I like seeing a GM get schooled in the lesson of guaranteeing too much money on a contract.
Its also an interesting “What If..” on how things would have played out for all 3 parties if they pulled the trigger on trading him to Pittsburgh for a 2nd & a 3rd instead of holding out for a a player too OR just a 1st.
Lynch seemed to think himself quite clever leveraging that into an extension instead. I bet he regrets that now.
Untradeable? The Browns are holding on line 3.