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(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers continued to hold onto Brandon Aiyuk rather than cutting ties with the wideout. Rather than closing this chapter, the Niners keep it open as they look to secure a trade for the player.

Despite Aiyuk not playing during the 2025 NFL season, the Niners aren’t willing to cut him and let a team grab him for free. One of the teams reportedly interested in the wide receiver is the Washington Commanders.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t appear that San Francisco is changing its stance, as NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco provided a fresh update on OTAs and mandatory minicamps on the horizon.

“Nothing has changed in the Brandon Aiyuk saga since Dec. 13. That was the day the San Francisco 49ers placed him on the reserve/left squad list, which officially ended his season last year,” Maiocco said in a May 10 video on his YouTube channel. “He remains on that list, and the 49ers still hold his rights.

“There is no chance he plays another game for the San Francisco 49ers, and the team is simply waiting to see whether any organization is willing to step up with a trade offer. He is still under contract, but he will not play again for the 49ers, and the organization is not expected to pay him further for the remainder of his NFL career.”

No Team Has Made a Serious Offer to 49ers

Moreover, Maiocco noted that no team has made a serious offer to the 49ers for the player. As a result, it seems like a game of chicken at this point, as the Niners want a trade and no team, whether it’s the Commanders or any other team, is looking to part with draft capital.

“At this point, nothing has changed. He is essentially in limbo, and there has been no clear indication of his desire or readiness to return, either from a health standpoint or a mindset perspective.

“He has not spoken publicly about his situation. While there has been reported interest from the Washington Commanders, no team has made a serious enough offer to acquire his rights from the 49ers.”

Should the Commanders Look at Brandon Aiyuk Alternatives?

Although the Commanders make sense for Aiyuk, given his connection to Jayden Daniels as the two were teammates in college, if Washington has no plans to trade for him, could they look elsewhere?  

There are a handful of veteran wideouts out on the market, and The Team 980’s Kevin Sheehan floats that Stefon Diggs should be an option for Washington.

“I am a Stefon Diggs fan from this standpoint,” Sheehan said in a May 6 video from The Team 980. “I think he’s as good a competitor as the game has. He is there on game day, and yes, he is probably a short-dose guy, a pain in the backside for coaches and teammates.

“But short dose, one season, a big season, where there’s a team with a need for a No. 2 receiver, for a guy who loves to win and helps you win on Sundays, [the Commanders are] not making a commitment beyond 2026. Call me interested in Stefon Diggs.”