Overview
- Aiyuk has not been released and remains on the Reserve/Left Squad list despite earlier reports that a cut would come at the start of the new league year.
- Adam Schefter reports the 49ers are not planning to release Aiyuk anytime soon because there is essentially no guaranteed money left on his contract.
- Team-connected reporting indicates San Francisco may hold him for weeks or months to see if any draft compensation, even a late pick, materializes in a trade.
- Washington is widely viewed as the most likely landing spot on a one-year prove-it deal due to Aiyuk’s connection to Jayden Daniels, while Cleveland is mentioned more speculatively.
- The anticipated split follows a 2024 ACL/MCL tear, a disputed 2025 rehab and communication breakdown, and reports that the 49ers voided about $27 million in 2026 guarantees after adding Mike Evans in free agency.