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PHOENIX – The San Francisco 49ers are still hopeful they can get something in exchange for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
While speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meeting March 30, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said the team wants to get compensation for Aiyuk, but the club isn’t in a rush to trade the wideout.
“I don't have a date for it, but I know eventually it'll resolve itself. Hopefully that we could get something for it,” Shanahan said. “I know we're in no rush to do that. It's, 'You got to do what's right for the Niners.' You know, you're not trying to hook up any other team as fast as you possibly can. Hopefully that we can get something for that and that'll take care of itself.”
Aiyuk’s relationship with the 49ers deteriorated soon after he signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension prior to the 2024 season.
Aiyuk sustained a season-ending knee injury seven games into the 2024 season. He missed all of last year. The 49ers eventually voided all of Aiyuk’s 2026 guaranteed money in his contract and placed the receiver on the reserve/left squad list in December.
Aiyuk is still technically under contract, however, the 49ers have no plans on having the receiver around.
Shanahan’s comments underscored what general manager John Lynch said earlier this year.
"It's safe to say he's played his last snap with the Niners," Lynch said in January.
The 49ers didn’t just move on from Aiyuk with words. San Francisco replaced Aiyuk on its roster. They made a big splash in free agency by signing veteran Mike Evans and also brought aboard slot receiver Christian Kirk.
Now the remaining question is whether the 49ers are going to trade or release Aiyuk. They certainly want leverage in the situation and hope to get something for the talented but mercurial wide receiver.
If Aiyuk was a free agent, he’d be one of the top players available. He's proven to be a No. 1 caliber wide receiver when healthy, and he produced two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 before things went off the rails in San Francisco.
There are rumors that there’s mutual interest between Aiyuk and the Washington Commanders. Aiyuk and Jayden Daniels were teammates at Arizona State and have maintained a relationship. The Commanders could also use a wide receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin.
The Commanders presumably would prefer the 49ers to flat out release Aiyuk so they don’t have to give up assets. But the 49ers have made it clear they are playing hard ball even if the Aiyuk situation has an inevitable ending.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk update: San Fran seeks trade, Commanders could fit
