49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk Considered “Untradeable”

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 option, 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 creates 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.

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.