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The San Francisco 49ers have a Brandon Aiyuk problem. And according to Chris Simms, the former NFL quarterback turned prominent football analyst, the resolution is not going to be pretty for the receiver.
The situation has been building for over a year. Aiyuk has not played since the 49ers’ seventh game of the 2024 season. San Francisco voided all of his guaranteed money and placed him on the reserve list in December. The team has since signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk at receiver. The message has been sent.
Simms did not mince words about what comes next.
What Chris Simms Said About Aiyuk
Simms was direct when breaking down the situation on his podcast, and his assessment of how the 49ers view Aiyuk was blunt.
“He screwed them over multiple times,” Simms said. “There’s really no other way to say it.”
From there, Simms laid out what he believes the exit strategy looks like. Rather than San Francisco going out of their way to accommodate Aiyuk or prioritize his happiness, Simms sees this playing out differently. His view is that the 49ers will wait until a contending team suffers a receiver injury or identifies a need, then move Aiyuk for whatever they can get.
“I could see this being one where they’re waiting into training camp,” Simms said, “and some team in the playoff conversation gets an injury or they look at their roster and be like ‘We don’t have a guy, hey 49ers, here’s a 3rd or a 4th rounder for Brandon Aiyuk.’”
It is a cold but realistic read on how this ends. The 49ers are not rushing. They are not doing Aiyuk any favors. They are waiting for leverage and will move him when the market comes to them.
Chris Simms on Brandon Aiyuk:
“He screwed them over multiple times. There’s really no other way to say it. He’s done that and because of that, they’re certainly not going to be in any rush, this isn’t one of your stories ‘He’s been great to us. He’s been awesome. We’re going to
What the 49ers Have Said
GettyHead coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers’ public comments have been more measured, but the underlying message is consistent with Simms’ read.
Kyle Shanahan confirmed the team’s plan is to trade Aiyuk rather than release him, telling reporters the 49ers hope to get something in return. He was equally clear that there is no urgency on their end.
“I know we’re in no rush to do that,” Shanahan said. “You’re not trying to hook up any other team as fast as you possibly can.”
Owner Jed York took a slightly softer tone, leaving the door open for an unlikely return while acknowledging Aiyuk’s value to other teams.
“BA is a very talented guy, would love to bring him back into the fold,” York said. “And if not, I think he’s a valuable asset other people would want.”
The addition of Evans and Kirk makes any Aiyuk return increasingly difficult to picture. The receiver room does not need him. The relationship between player and team has been fractured for too long.
The Case for and Against a Trade
On paper, Aiyuk carries real value. He totaled 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, one of the more productive receiver seasons in the league that year. A team willing to take a chance on his recovery could be getting a legitimate difference-maker.
The risk is real though. Aiyuk has not played a full season since 2023. He struggled even before his injury in 2024. Any acquiring team would require him to pass a physical, giving them an out if they do not like what they see. Some teams may simply wait for a release and sign him to a veteran minimum rather than surrender a draft pick.
That is the leverage problem the 49ers are navigating. They want compensation. The market may not be willing to provide it.
Final Word for the 49ers
Simms’ read is hard to argue with. San Francisco is not in the business of doing Aiyuk favors. The relationship soured a long time ago.
A third or fourth rounder from a contender with a need at receiver. That is the most realistic outcome here. The 49ers will wait for that call and move on without looking back.
The Aiyuk chapter is not closed yet. But the ending has been written for a while now.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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