ESPN Analyst Jeremy Fowler noted on SportsCenter that alternative franchises like Washington, Baltimore, or Kansas City could potentially pursue him if he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
However, Fowler added that interested teams are unlikely to trade for him, preferring to wait for an outright release to avoid heavy contract obligations.
"Whoever gets involved, they're probably not going to trade for him, they're going to wait for him to get released and then he's not going to have the market he had a couple of years ago, but he could still bring value as a former top-10 receiver," Fowler said.
Fowler also described how little leverage Aiyuk holds, as his social media complaints have failed to compel General Manager John Lynch to make a move.
San Francisco still has numerous options to exhaust before cutting him.
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According to NBC Sports, if Aiyuk participates in mandatory practices and suffers a season-ending injury, the 49ers would be liable for over $26 million, whereas they currently owe him nothing.
