San Francisco 49ers make decision on $120m star receiver Brandon Aiyuk ahead of NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers will owe wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a $22.85 million roster bonus if he remains on the team by Tuesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that barring unforeseen developments, Aiyuk will not be traded before the deadline, indicating the team plans to retain him.

This decision comes despite the 49ers trading Aiyuk's teammate Deebo Samuel earlier in the offseason and nearing the 2025 salary cap of $279.2 million. Speculation about a potential Aiyuk trade had increased due to the deep wide receiver class in the upcoming NFL Draft, where San Francisco holds the 11th overall pick.

With Aiyuk staying, 24-year-old receiver Ricky Pearsall is expected to fill Samuel's role. Pearsall caught 31 passes over 11 games last season after recovering from an August gunshot wound in San Francisco.

Aiyuk, a 2023 second-team All-Pro who helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl that year, staged a walkout the following offseason before signing a four-year, $120 million extension in late August 2024. His 2024 season ended prematurely with a knee injury on October 20 after recording 25 catches for 374 yards over seven games. The team's general manager provided a positive update on Aiyuk's rehabilitation last month.