Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers are going through a very public divorce. But, in the eyes of the NFL, they are very much still together.
That's because the 49ers, even after taking measures to void the guaranteed money owed to him in 2026, have yet to release the former All-Pro. Aiyuk missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, his first after signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension. His absence at rehab sessions led to an impasse with the team and, eventually, a loud declaration to the rest of the league that the differences between team and player were irreconcilable.
Since we're beyond June 1, San Francisco can trade or release Aiyuk without incurring a massive dead salary cap hit. While a swap is likely out of the question due to scheduled cap hits of more than $40 million the next two seasons, cutting the former first round pick would allow both sides to get a fresh start. The Niners haven't made their move yet, so Aiyuk has been not-so-subtly pressuring them on social media.
Two weeks ago, it was criticizing management in a since-deleted video. Now it's an Instagram story where he says "go Commanders" a whole bunch.
Washington would be a logical fit for the 28-year-old. He shared an offense with current Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State in 2019 -- the same season that boosted Aiyuk into a Day 1 draft slot. Daniels backslid in 2025 after his rookie of the year campaign in 2024 thanks in part to a limited receiving corps. Terry McLaurin remains the alpha in the Washington passing offense, but behind him is a mix of guys like Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks. Even a diminished Aiyuk could play a significant role as a downfield threat.
That's because the 49ers, even after taking measures to void the guaranteed money owed to him in 2026, have yet to release the former All-Pro. Aiyuk missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, his first after signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension. His absence at rehab sessions led to an impasse with the team and, eventually, a loud declaration to the rest of the league that the differences between team and player were irreconcilable.
Since we're beyond June 1, San Francisco can trade or release Aiyuk without incurring a massive dead salary cap hit. While a swap is likely out of the question due to scheduled cap hits of more than $40 million the next two seasons, cutting the former first round pick would allow both sides to get a fresh start. The Niners haven't made their move yet, so Aiyuk has been not-so-subtly pressuring them on social media.
Two weeks ago, it was criticizing management in a since-deleted video. Now it's an Instagram story where he says "go Commanders" a whole bunch.
Washington would be a logical fit for the 28-year-old. He shared an offense with current Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State in 2019 -- the same season that boosted Aiyuk into a Day 1 draft slot. Daniels backslid in 2025 after his rookie of the year campaign in 2024 thanks in part to a limited receiving corps. Terry McLaurin remains the alpha in the Washington passing offense, but behind him is a mix of guys like Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks. Even a diminished Aiyuk could play a significant role as a downfield threat.
1 month ago
