Brandon Aiyuk hasn't played an NFL snap since October 2024. But a few years ago, he was one of the best wide receivers in the league — and he could finally have a path to a new home.
After months of injury recovery, then being placed on the reserve/left squad list as he went through a contract dispute and other off-the-field issues with the 49ers, Aiyuk was finally reinstated to the team on Monday. San Francisco was given a two-week exemption before it would need to add him to the 53-man roster.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that the team has no intentions of welcoming Aiyuk back. And on Tuesday, Mike Florio reported that it's "likely" Aiyuk will soon be cut by the 49ers, allowing him to sign with any team.
Here are four landing spots that could make sense for Aiyuk as he looks to pick his NFL career back up.
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Brandon Aiyuk landing spots
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes needs a new wide receiver. The Chiefs have reportedly shown interest in receiver options on the trade market with Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton hurt, Rashee Rice averaging just 48.7 yards per game and a 37-year-old Travis Kelce — yet again — being asked to lead Kansas City's passing game.
With Kenneth Walker adding life to Andy Reid's ground attack, it would be a shame for the Chiefs, as a top AFC contender, to not add a wide receiver to give Mahomes more to work with in the second half. But if the front office is unwilling to part with draft capital, perhaps it looks at the free-agent market.
Expecting Aiyuk to immediately be the version of himself that finished with over 1,200 yards in 2023 is unrealistic, especially considering he hasn't even been in an NFL facility in months. But if Aiyuk can ramp back up a bit for a few weeks, by the tail end of the season, he could be a field-stretching weapon for Mahomes, averaging 14.6 yards per catch in his career.
Tyreek Hill remains available, but he's just as much of a question mark as Aiyuk due to his injury recovery. With Aiyuk, the Chiefs could take a low-risk, high-reward swing to pair with Rice and Kelce.
Brandon Aiyuk’s last healthy season: - 75 Receptions - 1,342 Yards - 7 TD’s This was in 2023, on just 105 targets Aiyuk put up 1,342 yards.. For context: - Aiyuk’s 1,342 yards ranked 6th in the NFL - Aiyuk’s 105 targets ranked 30th in the NFL Brandon Aiyuk was just entering his prime in 2023, I believe he’s going to get another chance He’s only 28..
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbott) November 7, 2026Los Angeles Rams
Yesterday, Sean McVay told reporters that star wide receiver Puka Nacua will likely be placed on IR with an MCL and PCL sprain in his right leg, sidelining him for at least a month. The injury comes at a time when the Rams are already without veteran Davante Adams, who won't return until at least Week 12 with a hamstring issue.
In the matter of weeks, the Rams have gone from owning arguably the best receiver duo in the NFL, to little weapons for Matthew Stafford. And at 5-4, they need to win games soon.
Aiyuk may not be game-ready in a short span, but he could bring some needed depth to a Rams receiver room that has been ailing this year. Even with Nacua and Adams healthy, Aiyuk's big-play ability could make for a nice fit — and perhaps he'd want the opportunity to face the 49ers on Dec. 13.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Another receiver-needy team entering the trade deadline is the Steelers, who have seen D.K. Metcalf's production fall off a cliff (47.3 yards per game) while Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson are sidelined with injuries. With Pittsburgh sitting at 6-2 and Aaron Rodgers playing well, it has an opportunity to win the NFC North this season.
The Steelers have never been a very splashy team when it comes to adding wide receivers — the Metcalf and Pittman trades were a change of direction for a front office that had relied upon home-grown players like George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool over recent years.
If Pittsburgh is all-in on getting Rodgers help in the passing game, Aiyuk could be an answer, rather than losing draft picks in a trade. While Aiyuk's recent off-the-field issues in San Francisco don't necessarily match the Steelers' team-first culture, he could be a fit if he shows a willingness to put his troubles in the past.
A receiver room of Metcalf, Aiyuk and Pittman would give Rodgers three players who may no longer be in their prime, but can still make big plays when needed.
Washington Commanders
Since Aiyuk has indicated he wanted out of San Francisco, the Commanders have been looming as a preferred landing spot. In June, Aiyuk said on social media that he would "sign with the Commanders tomorrow" if he was released by the 49ers, per NFL.com.
Aiyuk has made it clear since then that he would want to play in Washington with his former Arizona State teammate, Jayden Daniels — though the two were also seemingly at odds in a social media feud this offseason.
Aiyuk has even posted videos and pictures on Instagram wearing Commanders’ gear, and in July, he posted that he bought a property in Virginia.
Another post from Brandon Aiyuk, this time of him wearing a Commanders hat and with the caption: “Let’s Run it 5! Let’s see! Need you available all szn and I’ll do the same!” https://t.co/EO6GOdGuMt
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) July 4, 2026ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said that he wouldn't rule out the Commanders signing Aiyuk, as the team hasn't "completely abandoned" the idea. Even with a 2-5-1 start to the season, in a winnable NFC East, Washington could try to replace the injured Terry McLaurin with Aiyuk, giving Daniels a strong receiver duo with Stefon Diggs.
The Commanders don't urgently need a wide receiver, but Aiyuk has made it clear he'd want to play with Daniels. There could still be a fit.
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