Are the 49ers Considering Trading Their Star Wide Receiver?

Last offseason, the 49ers signed Brandon Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract extension after a full offseason of contract negotiation drama. Aiyuk was searching for $30 million annually on a long-term extension. However, the team wasn’t budging initially. The contract negotiations got so out of hand that Aiyuk was on social media, hinting at possible landing spots in trades, requesting a trade, and eventually “held in” during OTAs and training camp. With that, though, the 49ers had all the leverage in trade talks as Aiyuk was coming off a breakout season with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while also being a key contributor in the team’s Super Bowl run. The rising star wide receiver had recognition throughout the entire league as he received AP Second-Team All-Pro honors. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots were deep into negotiations with the 49ers and were willing to pay what Aiyuk wanted.

Aiyuk and the 49ers came to an agreement, with the 49ers giving in to Aiyuk’s demands. Immediately, Aiyuk showed an offseason worth of drama, and the lack of practicing with the offense wasn’t the best for his early-season production. He had costly drops in the first several games, and players like Jauan Jennings and George Kittle had to step up even more as weapons for San Francisco’s offense. The situation became worse during Week Seven in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs when he tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee. Aiyuk became a stain on the team during the offseason and could not write his mistakes.

At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, rumors began to swirl about the possibility of the 49ers trading away Brandon Aiyuk and admitting their regret about his contract. Teams were reported to have expressed interest, wondering about the 49ers’ motives with their former All-Pro receiver. The 49ers seem to be open to trading him. However, it won’t be for the same compensation as last offseason. Last offseason, Aiyuk could've been valued as high as a first-round pick, but now I would be surprised if San Francisco would receive a fourth-round pick in return.

There is a reason it is still very unlikely he will be dealt. Coming off an injury, not knowing his injury timeline, and understanding his contract, there are too many risks teams would need to take for them to truly consider making an offer. An unfortunate situation for the 49ers and an intriguing situation for Aiyuk, who will need to prove himself and make an effective comeback when he’s back healthy. The 49ers have many decisions to make, but one certainty has been that Aiyuk’s contract negotiations last offseason have had a direct impact on the timeline of quarterback Brock Purdy’s contract negotiations this offseason.