San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has become one of the strangest situations in the NFL heading into training camp. While earlier in the offseason betting markets and reports pointed to Washington as his likely landing spot, a public falling-out with college teammate Jayden Daniels, plus Aiyuk’s own refusal to petition for reinstatement, has left his future completely unresolved. Multiple teams are reportedly circling, but none are willing to give up assets for a receiver the 49ers can’t even release yet.
Which teams are interested in Brandon Aiyuk?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler named the Ravens, Bills and Commanders as teams that could have use for a receiver like Aiyuk.Washington was long assumed to be the favorite because of Aiyuk’s close friendship with quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, and insiders confirmed the Commanders would pursue him if Daniels wanted him on the roster.That changed after a public social media spat between the two in early July, which analysts say may have “burned the one bridge” that made a Commanders deal realistic. Former Titans GM Ran Carthon also said this week he wants to personally reach out to Aiyuk, though that’s a personal gesture rather than a team-level move.
What are insiders saying about the trade rumors?
Unlike a typical trade candidate, Aiyuk isn’t even eligible to be dealt right now. He remains on San Francisco’s reserve/left squad list, and getting off it requires him to petition the NFL for reinstatement and then report to training camp, something he’s publicly said he refuses to do. Fowler reported the 49ers have “long given up” hope of recouping anything via trade, since no team wants to take on his contract given the drama of the past few weeks. Aiyuk has continued posting combative Instagram videos calling the 49ers “dumb” and accusing them of misleading fans, which most analysts now describe as noise until he actually changes his official status.
Contract details and cap implications
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024 after a trade to the Steelers nearly went through. The deal fell apart practically overnight after a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus sidelined him for seven games, and San Francisco voided his 2026 guaranteed money after he skipped mandatory team rehab sessions. He carries a cap hit of roughly $13.6 million this year, a figure that continues to scare off potential trade partners, even though his talent remains highly regarded.
How would a move affect either side?
For Baltimore, Aiyuk would give Lamar Jackson a legitimate second option alongside Zay Flowers, especially with questions surrounding Rashod Bateman’s role. For Washington, the fit made obvious sense on paper, but the Daniels fallout has made that pairing far less certain than it looked a month ago.Nothing is close to confirmed, and there’s no indication a trade is actively being negotiated by any team. Until Aiyuk changes course on reinstatement, his situation is likely to remain unresolved deep into training camp and possibly into the season itself.
