If the 49ers are planning on trading Brandon Aiyuk, they'll want to do so before an upcoming critical point on the offseason calendar.
The San Francisco 49ers have already shown a willingness to part ways with expensive players while accepting meager returns on the trade market.
Case in point, the Niners moved wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason in exchange for a fifth-round NFL Draft pick while taking on more than $31 million in dead money.
In doing so, San Francisco doesn't owe Samuel another dime.
Samuel is already gone. And there's a growing buzz about his former teammate, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, potentially being on the move soon, too.
The 49ers are aiming to trim costs in 2025 after being the NFL's top-spending team a year ago. And while Aiyuk's torn ACL and MCL last season complicate matters, likely meaning the Niners get proverbial "pennies on the dollar" in a would-be trade, it hasn't stopped the speculation about a would-be offseason move.
Especially with growing rumors about both the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns being interested.
WR UPDATE:
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) March 23, 2025
The Cleveland Browns have been pounding the 49ers in the past week or so, trying to find a deal that works for Brandon Aiyuk, looks like they want a WR1 for Shedeur pic.twitter.com/UUEjiv33oH
Expanding on those rumors, earlier reports spoke about how San Francisco's front office was upset with how Samuel and Aiyuk's extensions were handled. With Samuel gone, it's not hard to conclude the 49ers wish to get out from under Aiyuk's own contract as well.
If they do, there's a date to watch on the calendar.
49ers have a soft deadline of April 1 to trade Brandon Aiyuk
The Niners don't have to trade Aiyuk. They don't even have to trade him by April 1.
But, if they do want to move the receiver via trade, doing so by the beginning of the month would be a wise move, one that'd align with their current cost-saving measures.
April 1 is the key date to watch here because it's when Aiyuk's option bonus ($4.571 million) and 2026 compensation ($16.223 million) become fully guaranteed, according to Over the Cap, which means San Francisco has only a matter of days to decide whether or not it wants to commit big bucks to its 2020 first-round draftee.
Getting out from under $20-plus million in player spend certainly is a discussion point for the 49ers right now, even if they're fully aware an Aiyuk trade would drastically reduce their wide receiver room over the next few years. However, considering he's not expected to be fully healthy amid his knee recovery until well into the regular season, that might not be a major obstacle.
It could be for a trade, though, unless the Niners are willing to move Aiyuk for a day-three pick and little else.
They did so with Samuel. Aiyuk could be next, and the upcoming few days will be vital.
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