49ers are Finally Nearing an End to the Brandon Aiyuk Saga

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) looks for yards after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

49ers are Finally Nearing an End to the Brandon Aiyuk Saga

Originally posted on San Francisco 49ers on SI
By Jose Sanchez | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 2:00 PM ET

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Light is starting to emerge at the end of the tunnel for the San Francisco 49ers with Brandon Aiyuk.

The NFL draft is here, which means this is the perfect chance for the 49ers to trade Aiyuk. That’s been the whole delusional reason they’ve held onto him this long.

However, John Lynch indicated at his pre-draft press conference on Monday that while it’s a prime opportunity to pull off a trade involving Aiyuk, he isn’t confident that it will happen.

“I've had some discussions. Do I think it's a high probability? Likely no. But, is there a chance? Yeah, I think there's a chance,” said Lynch.

The end is near

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

When the 49ers are inevitably unsuccessful trading Aiyuk during the draft, anticipate them releasing him within the next month. Their window of opportunity for a trade is gone once the draft is over.

No team is going to trade for Aiyuk at that point. And even if the 49ers want to keep Aiyuk beyond June, all they’re doing is inviting unnecessary questioning from reporters.

Not to mention that it’s a bad look on their end. They’re holding a player hostage, who they already admitted to the entire league that he’s no longer going to play for them.

It’s simple pettiness or revenge now. This is why holding onto him with the hope of trading him for anything was ridiculous. The Niners literally forfeited their leverage when they publicly ousted Aiyuk.

D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Besides, last offseason, there were numerous reports about how the 49ers regretted giving him his contract extension. It’s no secret that they can’t wait for him to be gone. Why keep up this farce?

A prestigious franchise such as the 49ers is above this. Or at least, you would think they would be. If the 49ers miraculously get a deal done with a team for Aiyuk, then I’ll commend them heavily.

It doesn’t matter if it’s for a seventh-round pick or a gift card to Chili’s. The fact that the Niners were able to get anything for Aiyuk is impressive and proves them right for everything.

But there’s just no way that will happen when teams know they can just wait for Aiyuk to be released. That should happen once the 49ers fail to trade him during the NFL draft weekend.

It will bring an end to the Aiyuk saga once and for all.

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This article first appeared on San Francisco 49ers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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