49ers get troubling reality check from NFL execs on Brandon Aiyuk trade originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The San Francisco 49ers are in a similar boat as the Philadelphia Eagles, as both teams are waiting until June 1 to decide on a top wide receiver who wants out.
However, while the Eagles are sure to get a strong return for A.J. Brown, a potential return for Brandon Aiyuk is still very much up in the air.
And according to a new update from ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, things are looking a bit troubling for the 49ers in their pursuit of an Aiyuk trade.
49ers get troubling Brandon Aiyuk trade update from NFL execs
“I talked to two rival executives that he’s simply untradeable,” Fowler said. “That’s because of the knee issue, didn’t play at all last year, he’s kind of ghosted the 49ers at times, they haven’t really had a lot of communication with him, then you have the contract…”
Teams are 30 hours away from being able to utilize post-June-1 cap benefits via trades and cuts.
A.J. Brown, Alvin Kamara and Brandon Aiyuk among players to watch@SportsCenter updates with @garystriewskipic.twitter.com/tYlRZotJKy
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 31, 2026
This update from Fowler reveals that multiple NFL executives believe Aiyuk is “untradeable,” even after June 1, when the price tag the 49ers are asking for would likely be a lot lower.
It appears that his no-contact with the 49ers organization, and how the fallout occurred this past season, that teams are hesitant to trade anything to the 49ers for Aiyuk.
Instead, it would make more sense for these interested teams, if there are any, to wait for Aiyuk to be released and then bring him in on a veteran minimum contract to see if he can actually perform in 2026.
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Aiyuk was once one of the better receivers in the NFL, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2023 NFL season.
But the year after signing his massive contract extension, he had a season-ending ACL injury, and then didn’t return to play like the 49ers were hoping for. They waived his guarantees, he didn’t play at all in 2025, and now he’s likely on his way out.
While the 49ers would love to trade Aiyuk for anything of note in return, it’s not looking good. These NFL executives believe Aiyuk’s “untradeable,” which is a troubling reality check for the 49ers in their pursuit of a trade for their once-star WR.
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