49ers can wait on Brandon Aiyuk decision—possibly until September

The San Francisco 49ers have made it clear they are in no rush to decide Brandon Aiyuk's future. As general manager John Lynch indicated in January, the wide receiver has likely played his final snap with the team. The remaining question is whether he will be traded or ultimately released.

San Francisco would prefer to secure a trade, recouping anything in return for the receiver who has caused so much unnecessary drama. Of course, no one appears to be banging down San Francisco's door to trade draft capital for a wideout who is expected to be released eventually.

Additionally, no one has spoken to Aiyuk. He reportedly cut off contact with the 49ers while the team held out hope he could return from the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered in 2024 and contribute last season—something that never materialized. His long-term football outlook remains unclear.

"I don't have a date for it (the Aiyuk timeline), but I know, eventually, it will resolve itself," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "Hopefully, we can get something for it. I know we're in no rush to do that. You've got to do what's right for the Niners."

So how long can the 49ers afford to wait? According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, there is no urgency to act before September 1. If a potential trade partner emerges before then, the team is expected to listen. Otherwise, San Francisco has little incentive to rush into releasing the receiver.

"The logic is simple: If a team is interested in Aiyuk's services — and spending as much time with him this spring as possible — it can trade the 49ers a draft pick," Barrows wrote. "Why would the 49ers do a team that they compete with a favor by handing Aiyuk over for free now?

"Perhaps they'll release him after the draft if they can't find a suitor by then. But San Francisco can wait much longer if it wants to — the team doesn't owe Aiyuk anything until his option bonus is due Sept. 1."

Barrows also noted that during a Monday night party at the NFL's annual meetings in Phoenix, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spent time with Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters, a former San Francisco executive.

It's possible the topic of Aiyuk came up. After all, Washington is viewed as a logical fit for the receiver, though Adams would likely prefer to wait for a potential release rather than surrender draft capital.

"The Commanders are seen as the logical team to grab Aiyuk because of his familiarity with Peters from their time with the 49ers and quarterback Jayden Daniels from when they were teammates at Arizona State," Barrows wrote.

The 49ers could still explore a draft-day trade, especially with only six total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and none beyond the fourth round. If no deal materializes, the team appears prepared to wait until the final possible moment to make a decision—without offering any favors to the rest of the NFL.