It seems unlikely that any team would pursue a trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk at this time. Not only is he now among the NFL's highest-paid wideouts, but he is also recovering from a significant ACL injury. No one is even sure Aiyuk will be ready to play at the start of the season or how effective he will be upon his return.
The 49ers are reportedly open to trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel, though moving him would present financial challenges. Still, most expect Samuel to play elsewhere in 2025.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, teams have also inquired about Aiyuk.
"Brandon Aiyuk is a player that a lot of teams had interest in before he signed that deal last year," Russini said on the Scoop City podcast. "Remember, he signed that four-year, $120 million deal. There are some teams poking around now to see if the 49ers would be willing to deal Brandon Aiyuk."
With Samuel's uncertain future, Russini's co-host, former quarterback Chase Daniel, questioned why the 49ers would consider moving Aiyuk, especially with the team gearing up to make Brock Purdy one of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks.
"Why would you pay Brock Purdy if Brock Purdy doesn't have a number one receiver?" Daniel asked. "Because Brock Purdy's not going to be the same without Brandon Aiyuk. Please don't do it, San Francisco."
Russini clarified that while teams are exploring the possibility, it doesn't mean the 49ers are actively looking to trade him.
"Look, I'm not saying they're going to," Russini stressed. "This is just the time of year where these conversations start, where agents and teams are starting to meet. Teams are meeting with each other, going, 'Hey, what would this look like? Would you be interested?'
"And I'm interested in how San Francisco is going to figure out this roster, knowing that they've got to pay so much money [to Purdy and other veteran playmakers]."