During the NFL Combine broadcast on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network lent credibility to rumors that the San Francisco 49ers might trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason. Rapoport included Aiyuk’s name alongside Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams and Aiyuk’s former teammate Deebo Samuel, who has since been traded to the Washington Commanders, as receivers who could potentially be on the move in 2025. This speculation comes as the 49ers face the need to restructure their roster in the coming seasons to manage the significant salary cap implications of quarterback Brock Purdy’s impending contract extension. In addition to Samuel and Aiyuk, the 49ers have already taken steps to bolster their receiving corps by drafting first-round wideout Ricky Pearsall last season and securing Jauan Jennings with a two-year, $15.4 million extension.
Aiyuk, a former first-round pick, had a contentious holdout with the team last summer, which was resolved when the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $120 million extension in August. However, the structure of this deal is noteworthy. So far, the only payment Aiyuk has received from the extension is a $23 million signing bonus. On April 1st, his $22.9 million bonus for 2025 will become fully guaranteed, and on the same date this offseason, his $24.9 million bonus for 2026 will also fully guarantee. Additionally, Aiyuk’s contract includes two void years at the end, meaning that any team holding his rights in 2025 would only need to account for $4.6 million in cap space for his 2025 bonus and $9.6 million in 2026 for both bonuses combined. The remaining $33.7 million would impact the cap in subsequent years. This structure essentially forces a team to defer a significant portion of the financial burden, akin to putting the payment on a credit card.
This financial setup is a key reason why the 49ers might consider trading Aiyuk now. They have until April 1st to make a move; otherwise, the dead cap hit will continue to accumulate. If they don’t trade him this offseason, they would be committing to Aiyuk long-term, as it would become increasingly difficult to move him in 2026 and 2027 due to the escalating cap implications.
While Aiyuk is undoubtedly a top-tier receiver, his torn ACL and MCL in October 2024 could raise concerns among teams about his ability to return to full strength by 2025. That said, it’s rare for a 26-year-old All-Pro receiver to become available, whether through free agency or trade. For some teams, the potential reward of acquiring a player of his caliber might outweigh the risks associated with his injury and contract.
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