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49ers Hold Brandon Aiyuk, Seek Trade as Lynch Says No Release ‘Anytime Soon’

Teams are waiting for a release due to knee rehab questions plus a costly contract.

Overview

  • General manager John Lynch said Saturday after the draft that San Francisco will not release Aiyuk anytime soon and urged teams to call about a trade.
  • The draft ended without a move, and NFL Network reporting says Washington has significant interest but plans to wait for a release rather than take on his current deal.
  • Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in October 2024 and missed 2025, and the 49ers voided remaining guarantees after missed team rehab sessions, which eased short‑term cap pressure.
  • Cap timing shapes the options, since a post–June 1 designation spreads or reduces the dead‑money hit, giving the 49ers little incentive to rush a decision.
  • Analysts including Ian Rapoport and Bryan DeArdo expect Aiyuk to end up in Washington with Jayden Daniels, though any move likely waits on a release and could be complicated by waiver priority.