Here’s a comprehensive take on whether the San Francisco 49ers should retain Brandon Aiyuk for the 2025–26 NFL season or explore trade possibilities:
🔍 Current Outlook on Aiyuk
Health status: Aiyuk is actively rehabbing from last October’s ACL and MCL injury; his exact return date is still uncertain sports.yahoo.com+15ninersnation.com+15cbssports.com+15cbssports.com+2sfchronicle.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.
Cap commitment: The 49ers paid his option bonus totaling $22.85 million on April 1, 2025, making him effectively non-tradeable this offseason due to cap implications—any move now would carry a significant dead cap hit sports.yahoo.com+5cbssports.com+5profootballnetwork.com+5.
Organizational stance: GM John Lynch has repeatedly stated that Aiyuk is expected to be part of the team in 2025, shutting down trade speculation ninersnation.com+15nbcsportsbayarea.com+15sports.yahoo.com+15.
🔄 Trade Considerations
Pros of Keeping Aiyuk
On-field chemistry: Aiyuk has been Brock Purdy’s preferred target, excelling in critical man‑to‑man matchups—a valuable complement in Shanahan’s passing scheme ninernoise.com+15si.com+15ninersnation.com+15.
Cost-saving: By keeping him, the team avoids the $10.4 million hit they’d take if they extended elsewhere—beyond just on-field value si.com+15si.com+15si.com+15.
Missed market opportunity: A potential for a first‑round pick existed before his injury, but now his injury and reduced trade interest have lowered his stock 49erswebzone.com+2ninersnation.com+2sfchronicle.com+2.
Cons of Retention
Cap squeeze: The 49ers are tight on salary, especially with big contracts due for Bosa, Kittle, and an upcoming Brock Purdy extension theringer.com+14ninersnation.com+1449erswebzone.com+14.
Availability risk: With no guarantee he returns strong post-injury, his value could decline further espn.com+6si.com+6sfchronicle.com+6.
Attitude concerns: Recent criticism around his “toxic and immature behavior” could impact team chemistry sfchronicle.com+10profootballnetwork.com+10fansided.com+10.
🧠 Strategic Takeaways
Trade window is closed: His April 1 bonus payout makes any move financially punishing now—practically ending trade debates for 2025 profootballnetwork.com+1cbssports.com+1.
Retain and reassess: The current path is clear: focus on rehab, reintegration, and evaluate performance mid-season.
Monitor 2026: If salary cap remains tight and health is questionable, the 49ers could revisit trade talks next offseason, with more clarity on his long-term health.
✅ Recommendation
Given the financial and on-field dynamics, keeping Aiyuk through 2025 is the most logical choice:
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Trading now would create dead cap issues with minimal return.
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Keeping him retains a top-tier, chemistry-rich receiver (once healthy).
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It provides time to assess post-injury performance and team cohesion.
If he returns healthy and productive, he remains a core offensive weapon alongside Purdy. If not, the 49ers can realign their plan next offseason.