ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported on Jan. 21 that Aiyuk’s future guarantees have been voided. If the 49ers cut him this offseason, they would face nearly $30 million in dead money against the salary cap. An alternative is to wait until after June 1, which would split the dead cap into about $13.3 million in 2026 and $21.25 million in 2027; the same numbers would apply in a trade, though trades cannot carry a post‑June 1 designation and would require Aiyuk to remain on the roster into the summer.
CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt floated the Washington Commanders as a potential landing spot, citing Aiyuk’s long-running wish to reconnect with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. Hunt suggested pairing Aiyuk with Daniels could recreate a productive passing formula and provide the quarterback another proven vertical threat.
Among critics, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin has been blunt about Aiyuk’s path, questioning why a player would seek a move away from a strong coaching setup led by Kyle Shanahan and urging Aiyuk to stay aligned with San Francisco’s offensive system.
Further complicating the picture, SI beat reporter Grant Cohn has raised doubts about whether Aiyuk truly intends to continue playing football, contrasting his public posts with his on‑field impact. Taken together, the lingering questions about Aiyuk’s motivation, combined with the 49ers’ cap considerations, leave his next team and role very much in flux.
