Brandon Aiyuk’s chapter with the San Francisco 49ers is officially over; John Lynch and the front office just need to cross some t’s and dot some i’s to make things official.
Whether his departure comes in the form of a trade or his outright release remains to be seen, but Aiyuk isn’t going to be on the field alongside Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey next season.
#49ers GM John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk:
“It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap as a Niner.”
Aiyuk transaction will come at some point but he will not be back.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 21, 2026
The final year and a half of Aiyuk’s tenure in San Francisco was nothing short of a disaster. He tore his ACL in 2024, and after failing to hold up his end of the bargain during the rehab process, the 2026 guarantees in Aiyuk’s contract were voided.
There’s no doubt that fans, analysts, and NFL teams will have questions about his commitment and impact in the locker room, but his NFL playing days are far from over. When healthy and at his best, Aiyuk is one of the league’s premier separators and all-around receivers.
He’ll get another chance. The question is which team is most interested in bringing him on board.
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Brandon Aiyuk to the Chargers: NFL Offseason Idea
The Los Angeles Chargers could very well be among the teams in search of a pass-catching weapon this offseason. Keenan Allen is no longer under contract, leaving the depth chart with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston leading the way.
That duo is enough to get the job done, but it’s by no means a world-class pairing.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports has predicted that Los Angeles will beef up its receiving corps by adding Aiyuk this offseason.
“The Los Angeles Chargers are undergoing a change in offensive philosophy in swapping Greg Roman for Mike McDaniel at coordinator. It’s clear that the Chargers need to upgrade the depth on the offensive line, but they could be in the market for a new weapon, too. Following his release from the San Francisco 49ers, Aiyuk will sign with the Chargers to help Justin Herbert reach that next level,” wrote Dajani.
Should The Chargers Target Brandon Aiyuk?
Aiyuk is the perfect offseason target for the Chargers.
For starters, this would be a low-risk investment. Without any data on how he’ll look in his return from ACL surgery, the Chargers can buy low, keeping the financial commitment limited.
Aiyuk could also be a perfect fit in Mike McDaniel’s offense. McDaniel knows how to design a scheme that helps emphasize the talent of his skill players, and a trio of Aiyuk, Johnston, and McConkey could deliver fireworks.
McConkey can dominate close to the line of scrimmage, while Johnston and Aiyuk can work off each other to threaten defenses vertically.
Let’s not forget that, at his best, Aiyuk is an incredibly efficient receiver who can make an impact in a multitude of ways.
Brandon Aiyuk this season:
– 75 receptions
– 1,342 receiving yds (7th in NFL)
– 17.9 yds/reception (2nd)
– 7 TDs
What kind of stats will he put up in the NFC Championship 👀
📺: #DETvsSF – Sunday 6:30pm ET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YzJm9nvrfC
— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024
Assuming he’s healthy, we could very well see him return to his 2023 form with McDaniel and Justin Herbert by his side. If that’s the case, this will prove to be a difference-making signing for the Chargers, and one that can finally help them get over the hump in the playoffs.
Brandon Aiyuk Contract
Brandon Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
The deal originally included $76 million in guarantees, but the guaranteed money in 2026 has been voided, paving the way for Aiyuk to be released this offseason.
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