San Francisco 49ers’ Offseason Shakeup: Is Brandon Aiyuk on the Move After Deebo Samuel Trade?

By Jason Bolton June 15, 2025 10:39

The San Francisco 49ers’ offseason has been marked by significant roster changes, most notably the trade of star wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. This move has naturally sparked speculation about the future of another key receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. With the 49ers now lacking Samuel’s dynamic presence, many wonder if Aiyuk might be on the move as well. However, a closer look at the situation reveals that San Francisco is likely to keep Aiyuk for the 2025 season, despite persistent trade rumors.

Contractual Commitments and Financial Implications

One of the biggest reasons the 49ers are expected to retain Brandon Aiyuk is tied to his contract structure. In August 2024, Aiyuk signed a lucrative four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco, which included a $22.85 million roster bonus that became guaranteed on April 1, 2025. This bonus means the 49ers are financially committed to Aiyuk regardless of whether they trade him later in the offseason. According to CBS Sports, “The 49ers will be on the hook for that $22.855 million no matter what, even if they trade him later in the offseason”. This financial reality makes a trade less attractive, as the team would still carry a significant cap hit.

General Manager John Lynch has publicly expressed confidence in Aiyuk’s role with the team. Speaking from the NFL Annual Meeting, Lynch said, “There are no regrets. We love Brandon Aiyuk as a football player. We did when we drafted him. We’re excited to move forward with him”. This statement underscores the organization’s intent to build around Aiyuk, especially after moving on from Samuel.

Injury Recovery and On-Field Role

Aiyuk’s 2024 season was cut short due to a torn ACL and MCL suffered in Week 7, limiting him to just 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns. Prior to the injury, Aiyuk was on pace to be a major offensive contributor, having recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023. His recovery status remains a key factor for the 49ers, with no definitive timetable for his return as of now.

Assuming Aiyuk returns healthy, he is expected to become the team’s primary receiving option in 2025, filling the void left by Samuel’s departure. Alongside tight end George Kittle, Aiyuk will likely shoulder the bulk of the offensive load. The 49ers also have secondary targets like Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, but the focus will be on Aiyuk’s ability to step up as the No. 1 receiver.

Trade Rumors and Market Interest

Despite the team’s apparent commitment, trade rumors have persisted, fueled in part by Aiyuk’s own social media activity hinting at interest in the Washington Commanders, Samuel’s new team. Some analysts, including Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn, have suggested that trading Aiyuk could be a “smart play” given the uncertainty surrounding his recovery and the size of his contract. Cohn wrote, “If [Aiyuk] rushes back onto the field and looks like a shell of himself, then his value will plummet and the 49ers will get nothing for him. That’s why the smart play could be to trade Aiyuk now while he still has an air of mystery about him.”

Several hypothetical trade packages have been floated, including a potential swap involving the Commanders’ wide receiver Dyami Brown and draft picks, or even a three-way trade including the Denver Broncos. However, as of early June 2025, no concrete deal appears imminent, and the April 1 roster bonus deadline has passed without a trade, signaling that the 49ers are prepared to keep Aiyuk on the roster.

While the 49ers’ offseason shakeup has raised questions about Brandon Aiyuk’s future, the combination of his recent contract extension, the guaranteed roster bonus, and the team’s expressed confidence in him strongly suggest he will remain in San Francisco for the 2025 season. Aiyuk’s recovery from injury and ability to assume the No. 1 receiver role will be critical for the 49ers as they look to rebound from a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2024. For now, the 49ers appear committed to building around Aiyuk, making a trade unlikely despite the swirling rumors.

In the words of John Lynch, “We love Brandon Aiyuk as a football player… We’re excited to move forward with him”. That commitment may well define the 49ers’ offensive identity in the coming season.