Brandon Aiyuk’s NFL future is up in the air. However, one thing that seems clear is that the star wide receiver has played his final game with the San Francisco 49ers.
With recent reports that Aiyuk has been ghosting the 49ers and general manager John Lynch confirming that his days in San Francisco are likely numbered, the big question is whether he will be released or traded after June 1.
According to one NFL insider, a trade is increasingly unlikely since Aiyuk is viewed as “untradeable” around the league.
Brandon Aiuyk Trade Rumors: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler Provides Latest Update
Back in January, Lynch made it clear that Aiyuk has no future with the team — first by voiding his $27 million worth of guaranteed money for 2026, then by saying, “It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap for the Niners.” This comes after Aiyuk reportedly cut off all communication with his team and refused to visit the team facility.
It’s still largely unclear what led Aiyuk to sever ties with the team that gave him a four-year, $120 million extension back in 2024 after back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. However, while recovering from a torn ACL, the relationship seemed to deteriorate beyond repair. Aiyuk has earned a reputation as a malcontent and a distraction because of his antics.
On “SportsCenter,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler described Aiyuk’s future as “squarely in limbo right now.” Furthermore, Fowler made it clear after speaking to two rival executives that he’s essentially untradeable.
“After June first, the 49ers can save about $20 million on the cap if they were to cut him. I talked to two rival executives who believe he is simply untradeable right now,” Fowler said.
Not only is Aiyuk coming off of a serious injury, but his hefty contract plus the fact that he ghosted the 49ers have scared away other teams. Now, it seems increasingly likely that he will be released instead of traded.
Teams are 30 hours away from being able to utilize post-June-1 cap benefits via trades and cuts.
A.J. Brown, Alvin Kamara and Brandon Aiyuk among players to watch@SportsCenter updates with @garystriewski pic.twitter.com/tYlRZotJKy
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 31, 2026
Since it’s clear that the 49ers and Aiyuk cannot repair their relationship, San Francisco doesn’t have much leverage. For teams interested in Aiyuk’s services, there’s little incentive to trade for him rather than wait until he’s released.
Fowler’s reporting lines up with what NFL insider Jordan Schultz said recently.
“Everyone knows he’s not gonna be there, so why would you trade for him? … Until we see what shape he’s in and how motivated he is to play football, it’s hard to peg him to a destination,” Schultz explained.
In 2023, Aiyuk put up 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. He has scored 27 career touchdowns over five NFL seasons. In 2024, he totaled 374 receiving yards and 0 touchdowns in 7 games before suffering his season-ending injury. He didn’t play during the 2025 season.
With teams viewing Aiyuk as “untradeable,” it’s hard to foresee any outcome other than the Niners deciding to cut their losses and releasing him post-June 1st.
