49ers Unlikely to Release Brandon Aiyuk Anytime Soon

Team plans to wait for trade offers rather than cutting the disgruntled wide receiver.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:48pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-motion, with the player's body fractured into overlapping planes of vibrant red, gold, and black colors.The 49ers' standoff with Brandon Aiyuk exposes the team's strategic approach to player management.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers are in no rush to release star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, despite his apparent frustration with the team. According to reports, the 49ers want to wait and see if they can trade Aiyuk for a draft pick rather than simply cutting him loose. The team doesn't feel obligated to do Aiyuk any favors after he stopped showing up for rehab on his knee injury last season.

Why it matters

Aiyuk's future with the 49ers has been a major source of speculation this offseason. The team's decision to hold onto him rather than releasing him immediately could further strain the relationship between the player and organization, potentially making an eventual trade or release even more contentious.

The details

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager Adam Peters were seen discussing Aiyuk's situation, and the team has made it clear they won't be releasing the wide receiver anytime soon. The 49ers want to see if they can find a trade partner for Aiyuk rather than simply cutting him, as they don't feel obligated to do him any favors after he stopped showing up for rehab last season.

  • The 49ers have until September 1 to make a decision on Aiyuk's option bonus.

The players

Brandon Aiyuk

A star wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who has had a strained relationship with the team.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Adam Peters

The general manager of the Washington Commanders and a former co-worker of Kyle Shanahan.

Jed York

The owner of the San Francisco 49ers.

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What they’re saying

“The 49ers have made it clear that Aiyuk won't be back — never mind owner Jed York's comments earlier Monday — but they're not just going to release the receiver anytime soon.”

— Vic Tafur, Reporter, The Athletic

What’s next

The 49ers will continue to explore trade options for Aiyuk leading up to the September 1 deadline for his option bonus.

The takeaway

The 49ers' decision to hold onto Aiyuk rather than release him immediately highlights the team's desire to maximize their return on the disgruntled wide receiver. However, this approach could further strain the relationship between Aiyuk and the organization, potentially making an eventual trade or release even more contentious.