It’s seemingly the end of the road as the relationship between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has soured.
Niners general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have echoed that Aiyuk has not had communication with the team in some time and that all options to move him are on the table. Lynch said during a Jan. 21 news conference that Aiyuk has most likely “played his last snap” for San Francisco.
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Aiyuk was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and missed the entire 2025 season, including postseason games, due to injuries sustained to his ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season.
“The plan in terms of the transaction, that will come in due time, (but) I think it’s safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners,” Lynch said in January. “It’s unfortunate, you know, situation that just went awry. I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes (it) just doesn’t work out. And I think this was a case where that happened.”
Aiyuk was selected by the 49ers with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Aiyuk was drafted out of Arizona State, and before that he played at Sierra College, a junior college in Rocklin, California. He spent all six seasons in San Francisco.
He tallied 294 catches, 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns in 69 games with the Niners. Now, Aiyuk is on the market to move teams. Despite recent antics with the 49ers, there are plenty of teams still out to service his talents.
Brandon Aiyuk landing spots
Here is the list of possible teams to go after Aiyuk and add him to their roster.
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Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders organization has had a knack historically for taking in disgruntled or forgotten players and giving them another chance in their football careers. Aiyuk maxed out his stay in San Francisco, and his actions over the past 12 months indicate that it’s irreparable. They could be a dark-horse to bring in more wideout talent to surround their quarterback tandem of Kirk Cousins and No. 1-pick Fernando Mendoza.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has been linked to acquiring Aiyuk, mainly due to the fact that the Browns have made passes at Aiyuk in the past, but they never were able to see it through. The Browns, like the Raiders, are known for giving second chances and for seeing something in players who may have had unfavorable exits from a previous team. Plus, Cleveland will look to add weapons for Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson.
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New Orleans Saints
The Saints situation is interesting because they could use a talent such as Aiyuk. It’s a gamble. But the Saints last year pulled off a 6-11 season and could use all the help they can get. Pairing Aiyuk across from Chris Olave would be a good starting point, offensively, for New Orleans. After all, in his last fully healthy season in 2023, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. If NOLA makes a move for Aiyuk, that’s the productivity they’d hope for.
Miami Dolphins
Miami is in a position where they need to find a No. 1-receiver to lead their offensive core, or someone to pair with Jaylen Waddle. Enter Aiyuk. Prior to his injury, Aiyuk was a No. 2 wideout, with all the tools needed to be the No. 1. He split targets with Deebo Samuel in San Francisco until he left for Washington. Aiyuk was poised to become next up but injuries derailed his season in 2025. A matrimony with the Dolphins could grant Aiyuk the No. 1-spot in 2026.
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Aiyuk’s not-so-likely destinations. But don’t rule out…
One thing’s for sure, two for certain. The 49ers are not dealing Aiyuk anywhere within the NFC West division. So “x” out the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams as potential suitors for Aiyuk. The only way this could even be remotely possible is if there’s an offer that is absolutely unrefusable. The following teams are unlikely but could be an interesting case in the Aiyuk sweepstakes.
Los Angeles Chargers
Trading Aiyuk to the Rams is foolish, but the other LA team might be able to make something shake. The Chargers could use a talent like Aiyuk, especially if he’s locked in. Los Angeles currently fields young rising slot Landon McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Aiyuk in the mix at a low price, seems worth the risk.
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New York Giants
The G-Men of New York are quietly putting together a core in the NFC that can be competitive should all the stars align. They have the coach, welcome John Harbaugh. They’ve found their quarterback in Jaxon Dart, a hard-nose running back in Cam Skattebo, star-like receiver in Malik Nabers and a defensive anchor in Abdul Carter. Other dominoes need to fall to put everything in place like health. Nabers missed the majority of the 2025 season with a torn ACL. Whether or not he’ll be ready for Week 1 is to be determined, however Aiyuk could be a placeholder for the time being.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are coming off of a Super Bowl appearance and look to find ways to improve their team and get back. New England picked up Stefon Diggs last season after four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Many thought he wouldn’t be a factor but Diggs provided veteran stability and caught passes when targeted by Drake Maye. There’s a feeling that Aiyuk could have a similar scenario: dumped by his previous team, given up on, only for the Patriots to see life in him and bring him on board.
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Washington Commanders
Maybe Aiyuk can join his former teammate Deebo Samuel in Washington catching passes from Jayden Daniels. Daniels and Aiyuk seem to have a bond outside of football, which could favor Aiyuk in conversations of bringing him to the nation’s capital. However, it’s out of Daniels’ hands.
“I don’t know, I don’t have a sense on it,” Daniels told reporters. “That is my brother and we have a personal relationship. His football future, that’s out of my control.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Aiyuk trade candidates after 49ers prepare for exit
