This was to be expected. Aiyuk has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but with the 49ers set to pay him a $22.85 million bonus on April 1 and no trade offers of note currently on the table, the Niners will prepare to keep the star receiver on the roster this upcoming season. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season and may not even be ready at the start of the season as he continues to rehab. Lynch said Aiyuk did “very well” at his latest check-in with Dr. ElAttrache, whom he has worked with since his injury. With Deebo Samuel now in Washington and Ricky Pearsall entering his second season, Aiyuk should be in line to see plenty of targets once he’s healthy and back in action.

Aiyuk is due a $22.85 million bonus from the Niners if he is still on their roster by April 1st. While he’s been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, the Niners would presumably keep Aiyuk on the roster for the 2025 season if they have to pay out his bonus for the season. Schefter reports that “no deal currently is expected” by April 1st, so we’ll see if anything develops over the next two days. The star receiver is rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered in Week 7 last season and seems unlikely to be ready for the start of next season, which would only further complicate a trade.

Speaking on his show, The Adam Schefter Podcast, Schefty said of Aiyuk’s recovery, “From what I understand, Dr. Neal ElAttrache is pleased with his progress. He’s coming along. I think he’s ready to play by midseason.” It’s a longer recovery than we may have expected for Aiyuk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in last season’s Week 7 game against the Chiefs. However, it’s worth remembering that Aiyuk’s knee injury included a torn ACL and MCL, likely adding to his recovery timeline. Aiyuk has been the subject of potential trade rumors this offseason, but things don’t appear to be much more than surface-level rumors at this point. The sixth-year vet signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Niners last offseason, but his deal, coupled with his injury, makes him unlikely to be traded even if available. If midway through the 2025 season ends up being his targeted return date, it’s hard to imagine other teams wanting to acquire him until they can see how he looks once he’s on the field.

Lombardi points out the fact that Aiyuk’s contract has a $20 million guarantee that kicks in April 1st, that would give the Niners some time to deal the star receiver if they desired to do so. The issue, of course, could come down to Aiyuk’s injury. Aiyuk caught 25 passes for 374 scoreless yards last season and saw his year come to an end in Week 7 due to a torn ACL and MCL. It’s hard to imagine any team wanting to take on Aiyuk given his injury and the money still remaining on his deal. While Lombardi doesn’t think a deal is unlikely, he did point out that the 49ers are giving “a firm no” to teams who may inquire about a trade.