The 49ers have created an atmosphere of hysteria in the league. First, they traded the WR Deebo Samuel to the Commanders. Now, they have opened the trading gates for another star, WR Brandon Aiyuk. Everyone is going crazy with these developments. Many analysts claimed it hit the 49ers badly as they restructured Samuel’s contract in 2024 by lowering his cap hit from $24.2 million to $15.8 million for the 2025 season. However, there’s another analyst who quashed all those negative reports.

The San Francisco Standard reporter, David Lombardi, got so fed up with the reports that he decided to shine the light on Samuel’s restructuring scenario. While educating everyone how cap space moves yearly (not just an annual number), he revealed how the Deebo Samuel trade didn’t affect the 49ers negatively. In 2025, his last year with the 49ers, Samuel had a $17.5 million cap number.

The Bay Area reporter revealed that restructures don’t decrease the dead money hit. But it just moved them back with no charge. That’s what happened in his trade. The Niners got two things done at the same time. Deebo Samuel also wanted out. The HC Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch wanted to make space for the younger talent.

The Commanders have also exchanged the 5th round pick for the receiver. However, the NFL insider, Jeremy Fowler, made an interesting revelation. Both sides were earlier talking about an exchange of the receiver for the DT, Jonathan Allen. In 2025, the tackler has a $16.4 million salary. So, the 49ers are pleased to save their $17.5 million and use it to sign an extension for their QB Brock Purdy.

Amid all this drama, people are excited about the WR Brandon Aiyuk trade now. With 374 receiving yards, the player could be useful for the teams that land him.

The Niners are open to trading him. Lombardi also revealed the trade nuances.

Brandon Aiyuk trade on similar lines to Deebo Samuel

“That typically happens with really good players. You get calls and you always listen to calls,” said John Lynch in Indianapolis. He opened the trade door for their receiver. Last year, they signed a 4-year extension worth $120 million. But Lombardi claimed the 49ers must pay $18.4 million of Aiyuk’s $23 million prorated signing bonus.

However, they could easily save the option bonus from 2025 ($22.85 million) and 2026 ($24.935 million). In the next 4 years, they would save $110 million but would have to pay $7.7 million extra this year. It’s a massive saving with plenty of cap space for the new players. The chances remain high for the player to follow Deebo Samuel’s path to the Commanders.

He is a long-time friend of the rookie Jayden Daniels from 2019 at Arizona State. That would be a shocker for the Niners. Last year, when he was undergoing contract tension, he showed off their bond during a FaceTime with the quarterback. So, the chances remain highly probable he could move to the Commanders.

It’s the free agency season. Expect more moves in the next 10 days. It’s interesting!