April 2, 2026, 5:32 a.m. PT
Brandon Aiyuk’s future in the NFL is, more than likely, not with the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran wideout has basically been away from the team since he tore his ACL during the 2024 season, which prompted San Francisco to void the guarantees in his contract.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said the team is in “no rush” to trade Aiyuk, although owner Jed York wouldn’t completely close the door on a return, either.
With all that being said, the 49ers would be best served going in a different direction with Aiyuk. Whether or not its via a trade remains to be seen, but Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton named five potential suitors for the wideout.
Moton wrote that the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders would be the best fits for Aiyuk in a trade.
Washington is the most obvious, as it was the one discussed as a landing spot before Aiyuk re-signed with the 49ers ahead of the 2024 season. The other four teams all have at least one thing in common: They’re either rebuilding teams looking for more offensive firepower or lack a true No. 1 offensive weapon. Aiyuk would be the clear No. 1 receiver for the Browns, Dolphins and Titans, while he’d be a true complement in New Orleans and Washington for Chris Olave and Terry McLaurin, respectively.
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It sounds as though the 49ers wouldn’t get much in a trade for Aiyuk because of his contract situation, injury history and overall off-field antics as of late. That’s why these downtrodden teams might want him, though: He’d be a low-cost, low-risk option who could garner a huge boon immediately.
The 49ers have more or less moved on already, as evidenced by the Mike Evans and Christian Kirk signings. But getting something in return for a player who hasn’t seen the field in more than a season would be a benefit for San Francisco at this point.