Should San Francisco 49ers keep WR Brandon Aiyuk during 2025-26’ NFL Season, or seek out potential trades?

Here’s a comprehensive take on whether the San Francisco 49ers should retain Brandon Aiyuk for the 2025–26 NFL season or explore trade possibilities:

 Current Outlook on Aiyuk

• Health status: Aiyuk is actively rehabbing from last October’s ACL and MCL injury; his exact return date is still uncertain sports.yahoo.com+15ninersnation.com+15cbssports.com+15cbssports.com+2sfchronicle.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

• Cap commitment: The 49ers paid his option bonus totaling $22.85 million on April 1, 2025, making him effectively non-tradeable this offseason due to cap implications—any move now would carry a significant dead cap hit sports.yahoo.com+5cbssports.com+5profootballnetwork.com+5.

• Organizational stance: GM John Lynch has repeatedly stated that Aiyuk is expected to be part of the team in 2025, shutting down trade speculation ninersnation.com+15nbcsportsbayarea.com+15sports.yahoo.com+15.

 Trade Considerations

Pros of Keeping Aiyuk

1. On-field chemistry: Aiyuk has been Brock Purdy’s preferred target, excelling in critical man‑to‑man matchups—a valuable complement in Shanahan’s passing scheme ninernoise.com+15si.com+15ninersnation.com+15.

2. Cost-saving: By keeping him, the team avoids the $10.4 million hit they’d take if they extended elsewhere—beyond just on-field value si.com+15si.com+15si.com+15.

3. Missed market opportunity: A potential for a first‑round pick existed before his injury, but now his injury and reduced trade interest have lowered his stock 49erswebzone.com+2ninersnation.com+2sfchronicle.com+2.

Cons of Retention

1. Cap squeeze: The 49ers are tight on salary, especially with big contracts due for Bosa, Kittle, and an upcoming Brock Purdy extension theringer.com+14ninersnation.com+1449erswebzone.com+14.

2. Availability risk: With no guarantee he returns strong post-injury, his value could decline further espn.com+6si.com+6sfchronicle.com+6.

3. Attitude concerns: Recent criticism around his “toxic and immature behavior” could impact team chemistry sfchronicle.com+10profootballnetwork.com+10fansided.com+10.

 Strategic Takeaways

1. Trade window is closed: His April 1 bonus payout makes any move financially punishing now—practically ending trade debates for 2025 profootballnetwork.com+1cbssports.com+1.

2. Retain and reassess: The current path is clear: focus on rehab, reintegration, and evaluate performance mid-season.

3. Monitor 2026: If salary cap remains tight and health is questionable, the 49ers could revisit trade talks next offseason, with more clarity on his long-term health.