49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has zero trade value for $27 million reason

The San Francisco 49ers' 2025 season was an odd one. Not only were there a plethora of injuries on both sides of the ball to the best players, but the 49ers made it to the NFC Divisional round before getting blown out by their division rival.

The on-field production wasn't what anyone hoped for, but even off the field, things didn't go to plan. The electrical substation conspiracy ran rampant at the end of the year, and Brandon Aiyuk's status was a baffling one.

Now, with the 49ers fully planning to move on, what the 49ers do will be of utmost interest. Bill Barnwell of ESPN poured cold water on any trade rumors, however, as there is a huge $27 million reason why Aiyuk will have zero trade value this offseason.

Why Brandon Aiyuk has 0 trade value

"The 49ers were in position to land a second-round pick for him in 2024 and wanted to get something in return for him last offseason," Barnwell writes. "But it would be surprising if they were able to get anything more than a conditional pick for Aiyuk now."

Barnwell doesn't see any scenario in which the 49ers get any trade value in return for Aiyuk this offseason.

While his disappearance from the team certainly doesn't help his value, there's another big reason why the return won't be great.

"But even for a team with a quarterback on a rookie deal," Barnwell writes, "$27 million would be a big ask for a player who hasn't played since the middle of 2024."

More: Why Brandon Aiyuk isn't playing tonight for 49ers in playoffs vs. Seahawks with contract dispute

Aiyuk hasn't played in the NFL since the mid-way point of the 2024 season. If he suits up in 2026 for a new team, Aiyuk will be playing his first snaps in over a year and a half.

Trading a draft pick, even a late-round one, for Aiyuk and his $27 million deal, is not likely at all. His absence from the 49ers and the drama surrounding Aiyuk while he's been away from the team make him borderline un-rosterable.

But, if a team can wait until Aiyuk's cut by the 49ers, which is likely to happen, they could bring in Aiyuk on a vet-minimum to see if he's ready to go. A trade won't happen, and there's $27 million left on the deal to thank.

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