Brandon Aiyuk situation continues as 49ers share Arizona takeaways

The 49ers say they do not plan to bring Brandon Aiyuk back but are keeping him on the roster rather than releasing him immediately so they can seek a trade; other items at the owners' meeting included travel plans for the team's international games and several roster moves.

San Francisco's Brandon Aiyuk remains under team control as the 49ers signaled he will not return but have not released him, a status discussed during the NFL owners' meeting in Phoenix. Coach Kyle Shanahan spent time with Washington GM Adam Peters at the Arizona Biltmore, and team leaders said they prefer to trade Aiyuk for a draft pick rather than hand him over for free. Owner Jed York expressed general admiration for Aiyuk, but Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have shown no interest in bringing him back and the team also faces budget constraints. The 49ers noted they are not obliged to Aiyuk until his option bonus is due Sept. 1 and could wait or release him after the draft if no trade materializes. Noted details: - The Washington Commanders are seen as a logical suitor because of personnel connections, but no draft pick has been sent and a trade has not been completed. - Jed York made comments praising Aiyuk's talent, which contrasted with the front office position and prompted some media attention. - The 49ers are keeping roster leverage by delaying any release until after the draft or until contractual dates, with the option bonus due Sept. 1 noted as a timing marker. - San Francisco plans to arrive in Melbourne roughly a week before their Australia opener, reflecting a longer acclimation approach than the Rams' reported plan to arrive shortly before the game. - Free-agent situations discussed included Jauan Jennings remaining unsigned amid reported contract expectations and Skyy Moore signing a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers. - The team added Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and Osa Odighizuwa this offseason and missed on John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Tennessee Titans. Summary: The 49ers are preserving control over Brandon Aiyuk's roster status and aim to extract value via trade rather than release him immediately; whether a trade will occur is undetermined at this time. Other takeaways from the owners' meeting included planned travel and timing decisions for international games and multiple active roster developments during the offseason.