{"id":857191,"date":"2026-04-06T17:06:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857191\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T17:06:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:06:26","slug":"49ers-projected-to-release-veteran-wide-receiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857191\/","title":{"rendered":"49ers Projected to Release Veteran Wide Receiver"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"John\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The San Francisco 49ers<\/a> are one of the NFL\u2019s most interesting teams heading into the NFL Draft. After winning 12 games a season ago, head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. have a real opportunity to keep their title window open in 2026. However, they might need to cut one of their more experienced players loose in the process.<\/p>\n

Bleacher Report\u2019s\u00a0Moe Moton<\/a> believes former All-Pro wide receiver\u00a0Brandon Aiyuk<\/a> will not be playing for San Francisco in 2026. In fact, he believes a release is more likely to take place than a draft-day trade.<\/p>\n

The San Francisco 49ers Need to Part Ways With Brandon Aiyuk Amid Injuries\"Brandon<\/p>\n

GettyBrandon Aiyuk has played in just seven games across the last two seasons.<\/p>\n

Here is what Moton wrote about the chances of the 49ers parting ways with Aiyuk via trade or release:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t suited up for a game since Week 7 of the 2024 season\u2026Teams could offer San Francisco a late-round draft pick for Aiyuk to avoid waiting for his decision as a free agent. While an outright release seems more likely, Aiyuk had reached his peak before his knee injuries and could draw considerable interest from receiver-needy teams during the draft.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 49ers had originally stated that Aiyuk would not play another\u00a0down<\/a> for them again. Since then, they have retracted that statement in an effort to possibly earn at least some type of draft capital. At his best, the former Arizona State star was one of the league\u2019s most underrated wide receivers. The two-time 1,000-yard man has been a central figure in Shanahan\u2019s offense ever since he was drafted in the first round back in 2020.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, his\u00a0injury history<\/a> has taken over his career in the last few seasons. As he is now sitting in his late-20s with knee issues, that isn\u2019t going to inspire any team to trade major picks for him. This is why a release could be the likeliest option.<\/p>\n

The 49ers Are Prepared for Life Without Brandon Aiyuk\"Mike<\/p>\n

GettyMike Evans joined the 49ers on a three-year deal this offseason.<\/p>\n

The good news for the 49ers is that they have made the necessary moves to be prepared for a potential parting of the ways with Aiyuk. Among those moves was the signing of future Hall of Fame pass-catcher Mike Evans<\/a>. After a storied 12-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>, the Super Bowl champion is heading west to be the No. 1 wide receiver in Shanahan\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t just Evans who signed with the Niners. Former 1,000-yard wide receiver\u00a0Christian Kirk<\/a> has also come to the Bay Area on a one-year deal this offseason. After bouncing around between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans<\/a> the last few seasons, Kirk has a great chance to provide the Niners\u2019 offense with a solid big-play threat in 2026.<\/p>\n

While the 49ers have lost or are likely to lose other wide receivers this offseason in Kendrick Bourne (signed with Cardinals<\/a>) and Jauan Jennings (free agent), they are likely to lose one more in Aiyuk. However, they do have six picks within the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL<\/a> Draft and could very well add to the position then.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTim Lindsey<\/a> A Chicago-area native, Tim Lindsey has covered the world of sports through a variety of different lenses. More specifically, he has been an NFL writer for sites such as Sports Illustrated and PFSN. Notable teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major point of emphasis for the longtime writer in the past. More about Tim Lindsey<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on 49ers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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