49ers predicted to make $29.6 million decision on Brandon Aiyuk

Charlie Baduini

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49ers predicted to make $29.6 million decision on Brandon Aiyuk image

Things between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have been weird, to say the least.

Aiyuk has yet to play a snap this season, still rehabbing from a nasty knee injury he suffered in 2024. But does the former Arizona State product even want to be in San Francisco?

Most recently, it appears not. According to Mike Silver and Dianna Russini, "it now appears that Aiyuk and the 49ers are headed for a stunning divorce."

Will the 49ers pay up to cut ties with Aiyuk?

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Aiyuk is certainly a candidate the 49ers could cut or trade to get his money off the books.

"The Niners having voided the remaining guarantees in Aiyuk's deal and are seemingly at a point where both sides have some interest in moving on. There has been a belief around the league for some time that Aiyuk wants to play in Washington with Jayden Daniels (whom he played with at Arizona State before Daniels transferred to LSU), and he could get that chance if the Niners trade him there," wrote Graziano.

"Releasing or trading Aiyuk would cost the 49ers about $29.6 million in dead cap charges. If they designate him as a post-June 1 release (or wait until after June 1 to trade him), they could split that money up over 2026 and 2027. And the acquiring team would owe Aiyuk $27 million in 2026, $28.124 million in 2027 and $30 million in 2028 -- though again, none of that money is guaranteed anymore."

If the 49ers feel it's finally time to end Aiyuk's five-year tenure in San Francisco, they're going to have to eat dead money to do so.

But in their position, the cap space it would free up would be huge for other signings and extensions that would supplement the team.

It remains to be seen what avenue John Lynch and company will take between releasing or trading Aiyuk, but it's safe to say he'll be playing elsewhere in 2026.

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Contributing Writer