Brandon Aiyuk missed all of last season for the San Francisco 49ers with a knee injury. Many reports have suggested that he may have already played his last game for the franchise, as they have been predicted to go in a different direction. This includes them being potentially linked to one of the top free agent wide receivers this year.
Brandon Aiyuk Could Be Replaced by 49ers in 2026 NFL Free Agency
Aiyuk last appeared in a game for the 49ers in Week 7 of the 2024 season, and while he likely didn’t know it at the time, it may very well have been his last one for San Francisco. He was reportedly shopped around in the trade market this year and is rumored to be a cut candidate if he isn’t moved before the start of free agency.
If they were to move on from Aiyuk, the 49ers would likely be in the market for a new wide receiver during the offseason. They could potentially explore the 2026 NFL Draft, but several free agents make for intriguing targets. Towards the top of that list is Mike Evans, and Gilberto Manzano broke down his overall outlook.
“Evans missed nine games last year, but he contributed in the final four games of the season, including a 132-yard performance against the Falcons in Week 15. With still plenty to offer, he could be set up well for another lucrative contract heading into his age 33 season. His 11-year streak of recording at least 1,000 receiving yards ended in 2025, but he’s still a quality playmaker,” explained Manzano.
Evans has been a legendary wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he is scheduled to become a free agent this year, unless he signs an extension before his contract officially expires. If he were to switch teams during the offseason, the 49ers make sense as a potential landing spot amid Aiyuk’s uncertain future.
In the season before his injury, Aiyuk was selected as a second-team All-Pro after having a career year. Evans has been picked for this twice to go along six Pro Bowls, so he could be a massive upgrade for their offense, even at his advanced age.
The Buccaneers legend has totaled 108 receiving touchdowns across 12 years in Tampa Bay and just ended a historic streak of eclipsing 1,000 yards in every season.
He was limited by injuries last year, but finished 16th and 20th among all wide receivers in PFSN’s Impact Rankings in the two seasons prior.
