The San Francisco 49ers had to make the difficult decision to part ways with multiple key players this offseason. Due to financial constraints, the team had to let the likes of Charvarius Ward, Javon Hargrave, Dre Greenlaw, Jaylon Moore, and Aaron Banks walk in free agency. One of the biggest reasons for this was the horrendous contract of Brandon Aiyuk.
The Aiyuk saga in San Francisco continues unresolved. After the star wide receiver had his option-bonus guarantee of $22.85 million kick in on April 1, it has become even more difficult to move him this offseason. Aiyuk had signed a four-year, $120 million extension in the 2024 offseason and is under contract through 2028 with a potential out in the 2027 offseason.
49ers Should Still Trade WR Brandon Aiyuk Around the Draft
The 49ers shouldn't shy away from trading Aiyuk simply because the offers will not be as strong due to his horrendous contract and injury concerns. The 27-year-old playmaker tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7 last season and will miss training camp and potentially part of next season.
While this will obviously reduce his trade market, there should still be a desperate team or two interested in bringing an offensive weapon as talented as Aiyuk.
San Francisco would be making a mistake if they just assume they could rehabilitate Aiyuk's trade value and get a better package for him next offseason. There is no guarantee that the former second-team All-Pro receiver will return from injury and play better to improve his trade value.
Considering that the relationship between Aiyuk and the 49ers has long been strained, it may be wise to move on from him for whatever they can get. Even if it's just a Day 3 pick in this year's draft, the 49ers could use to take more fliers on prospects on cheap contracts.
Holding onto Aiyuk with the hopes of getting something out of him, just because you owe him money, regardless of whether he is on the team or not, would be a sunk-cost fallacy, and GM John Lynch needs to avoid it.