The Cleveland Browns are in need of a new No. 1 wide receiver and Brandon Aiyuk is likely to soon become available.
Nick Wagoner of ESPN reported on Wednesday, January 21 that the former All-Pro wideout’s days with the San Francisco 49ers are over, and that it is only a matter of time until team and player part ways.
“It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap as a Niner.”
Aiyuk transaction will come at some point but he will not be back.
“49ers GM John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk: ‘It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap as a Niner,'” Nick Wagoner posted to X. “Aiyuk transaction will come at some point but he will not be back.”
Browns Predicted to Ink Brandon Aiyuk This Offseason
GettySan Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Ben Solak of ESPN predicted that Cleveland will land Aiyuk in free agency on a short-term prove-it deal.
“The Browns will bring in 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, as they continue their tradition of signing receivers on low-cost contracts in the hopes of hitting it big,” Solak wrote. “Aiyuk’s days in San Francisco are likely over; the Browns can offer him more money and opportunity compared to any other team in the NFL.”
Aiyuk didn’t play at all this season after tearing his MCL and ACL during the middle of the 2024 campaign. Based on his injury and the standard return time, the prevailing prediction from NFL analysts was that Aiyuk would return at some point mid-season. However, he never did and stopped showing up at team facilities well before the year ended.
The receiver is currently playing on a $120 million extension, which he inked in the summer of 2024. Given his injury and subsequent absence from duty, the 49ers voided Aiyuk’s $27 million in guaranteed money for 2026.
Aiyuk chose not to appeal that call, which means he is now likely to part ways with the franchise and become a free agent in the spring.
Shedeur Sanders Needs WR1 Heading Into 2nd Season With Browns
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Aiyuk earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving twice in the five years he has played in the NFL.
However, because of his absence over the last year and a half, it is unlikely Aiyuk has much trade value or a path to a longterm contract before showing himself worthy of one during the upcoming campaign. As such, Spotrac projects his market value at $14 million on a one-year deal.
Cleveland is in the process of hiring a new head coach after firing Kevin Stefanski earlier this month. The Browns will also now have to replace Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator, as he is headed to the Atlanta Falcons to fill that role under Stefanski during the next phases of their respective careers.
The Browns have two first-round picks in April, but probably don’t have enough draft capital to blast to the top of the board and select Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana at No. 1 overall.
As such, Shedeur Sanders — and likely another QB or two the team will subsequently acquire via trade or free agency — will vie for the starting role in training camp. Be it Sanders or some other signal-caller, the team needs a viable WR1 to help rebuild the offense.
Cleveland may decide to use the No. 6 overall pick to add one. However, even if the Browns do go down that path, Aiyuk makes sense on a one-year deal at value, and it appears he will be available sooner than later.
Browns Get Good News on Potential Brandon Aiyuk Acquisition