Financial Impact of 49ers Trading Star Receiver Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk is now part of big trade rumors, which have all been confirmed by general manager Jon Lynch. Lynch was asked if there is truth to rumors of an Aiyuk trade, to which he replied with:

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“I think there’s some good that can come out of that. We need to get younger. I think we’re the oldest team in football after trying to make a run last year. I think it’s good to constantly get younger. Our draft class last year was a great move toward that. We’ll have four picks in the top 100. If the comp picks happen like we see it, we’ll have 10 picks overall. We’re excited about adding more youth to the great core of players we already have.”

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Lynch could have simply shut down the rumors, but he instead stated the team could consider moving the star receiver. The problem is the 49ers just awarded Aiyuk a new contract and that contract could be the biggest reason the team is considering moving away from the pass catcher.

Spotrac offered a look at what a proposed trade for Aiyuk would cost teams interested and the 49ers.

“Trading WR Brandon Aiyuk
New Team Acquires 4 years, $109.9M
2025: $24.8M (g’teed)
2026: $27M (g’tees 4/1)
2027: $28.1M
2028: $30M

#49ers Dead Cap
$18.4M ($7.2M lost).”

The new team would take on Aiyuk’s four-year, $109.9 million deal, meaning they would have to pay a guaranteed $24.8 million in 2025, $27 million in 2025, which becomes guaranteed in 2026, $28.1 million in 2027, and $30 million in 2028.

There would be a dead cap hit of $18.4 million, and the 49ers would lose $7.2 million on him being traded.

The good news is the 49ers are near the top in terms of available cap, as they have a bit over $50 million for 2025. Losing over $7 million would hurt, but they could make up for that by getting some big draft capital for Aiyuk.

The other aspect of this trade is that Aiyuk is dealing with a significant injury, as he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in 2024. This alone might tank his trade potential, but a fully healthy Aiyuk would be a huge benefit to any team.

The 49ers might also want to move on from Aiyuk to create a “younger core” as Lynch said, but also because of his injuries.

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San Francisco is also playing a dangerous game as they have already granted Deebo Samuel a trade request. Adding Aiyuk to that would eliminate some huge talent for the pass-catching corps of the team. That could mean the 49ers are aiming to bring in a high-value free agent wide receiver like Tee Higgins, or bank on getting some solid young talent from the draft.

Either way, it appears the 49ers are set on stacking some draft capital by sending out Aiyuk and Samuel.

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