SANTA CLARA — The San Francisco 49ers are officially ready to listen to offers for Brandon Aiyuk. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday that the team wants a return for the wideout, effectively ending his five-year run in the Bay Area. The news comes just weeks after the 49ers landed Tampa Bay legend Mike Evans in a 3-year, $60 million blockbuster deal to revitalize Brock Purdy’s passing attack.
The writing has been on the wall since the 49ers limped out of the playoffs following a 41-6 blowout loss to the Seahawks in the divisional round. Aiyuk hasn’t caught a pass in a meaningful game since 2024. A devastating ACL and MCL tear midway through that season forced him to watch the entire 2025 campaign from the sidelines. While the 49ers initially hoped for a mid-season return last year, the recovery stalled, leaving a $30 million cap hit sitting on the bench.
San Francisco’s front office didn’t wait around this spring. They moved aggressively to sign Evans, providing Purdy with a massive 6-foot-5 target who can still climb the ladder. The move signaled a shift in priority. Instead of waiting for Aiyuk to regain his 2023 All-Pro form, the 49ers grabbed a proven veteran who has recorded 1,000 yards in every healthy season of his career. The chemistry between Purdy and Evans in early workouts has already turned heads, making Aiyuk an expensive luxury the team can no longer afford.
“We love BA, but this is a business. We hope we can get something in return for him. I’m not sure when that might take place, and I know we’re in no rush to do that, but we have to look at what’s best for this roster in 2026.”
— Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Head Coach
Holding out for a trade partner makes sense for General Manager John Lynch. Despite the injury history, Aiyuk is only 28. Teams like the Steelers or Patriots, starving for a true X-receiver, could view him as a high-reward reclamation project. By moving Aiyuk, the 49ers could recoup a mid-round pick and clear substantial space under the $301.2 million salary cap to bolster a defense that surrendered 41 points in their last outing.
The 49ers are currently in a “win-now” window with Purdy entering his prime. The addition of Evans and potentially Christian Kirk has transformed the room. If Lynch can flip Aiyuk for a Day 2 pick before the draft kicks off later this month, it would be a masterclass in roster management. For now, Aiyuk remains on the roster, but his locker in Santa Clara feels emptier than ever.
