Shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles finally traded A.J. Brown, another Pro Bowl wide receiver is causing a stir that could cause him to be moved.
Taking to Instagram, San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk posted a video where he implied that the team is “scared” to release him, going so far as to seemingly call them “little boys.”
Aiyuk has two years left on a four-year, $120 million deal with $76 million guaranteed. He did not play any games in the 2025 season, as he was placed on the PUP list in July while recovering from knee injuries he had suffered in October 2024.
In November, the 49ers voided the guaranteed money on Aiyuk’s contract for the 2026 season, citing a lack of participation. In December, they placed Aiyuk on their reserve/left squad list.
The New York Jets remain in need of a quality starting receiver next to Garrett Wilson. They are hopeful that first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. or third-year man Adonai Mitchell can step up, but both players remain unproven.
If Aiyuk gets his wish and is released, should the Jets pounce?
Aiyuk’s production ceiling is tantalizing. In 2023, he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
However, there are a myriad of concerns with the 28-year-old. Regarding his production, it’s fair to wonder how much of it was a product of Kyle Shanahan’s efficient scheme in San Francisco. Is Aiyuk truly that much of a difference-maker, or were his numbers propped up by the situation? Without Aiyuk in 2025, the 49ers still ranked fifth in passing yards, won 12 games, and reached the divisional round.
Plus, as high as Aiyuk’s ceiling is, it has now been almost three years since Aiyuk played at an elite level. In 2024, he had just 374 yards and zero touchdowns across seven games before his injury. Now, Aiyuk is coming off a knee injury that cost him about 1.5 seasons.
Add in the off-field antics, and Aiyuk does not seem like a reliable player to invest in.
Aiyuk’s ceiling is high, but the risk seems too great for a team like the Jets that is trying to rebuild its culture.
If the price tag is cheap enough and the Jets believe that their scheme is ideal to unlock Aiyuk’s talents in the way that San Francisco’s did, then he could be worth the flier, as long as New York feels good about his health. That’s a lot of “ifs”, though.
Most likely, the Jets should not be expected to show interest in Aiyuk if his dramatic saga culminates in a release. A team hoping to compete for the Super Bowl in 2026 would be better equipped to take on Aiyuk’s red flags in exchange for the ceiling he brings.
