49ers Holding Out on Aiyuk, Seeking Trade Value

0:00It's April 7. This is NFL News today, powered by AI tracking teams, players, and standings. The San Francisco 49ers are holding firm on star-wide receiver Brandon Iyuk's future. They've decided he's not coming back next season, but they're not rushing to cut him loose. Instead, they're waiting for a trade-offer that includes a draft pick, putting the ball in other teams' courts. Earlier this week, Coach Kyle Shanahan chatted with Washington Commanders General Manager Adam Peters, a old colleague. Iyuk came up, but the 49ers made their stance clear. No free release just yet. This isn't about grudges, it's smart business to give value before letting him walk. Fans and Iyuk himself are feeling the squeeze, especially since he skipped rehab on his knee injury from last season. That move left the team in a tough spot, and now he's stuck waiting while the 49ers prioritized their own knees over his impatience. The latest word is they'll sit tight through the draft. If no deal materializes, a release might happen afterward, but they face no deadline until

1:01his option bonus hits on September 1st. Bottom line, the 49ers are playing it cool, turning Iyuk's push into leverage that could pay off big for them down the line.