Appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, Shanahan said “I know there’s a chance to” Kittle playing in the season opener on September 10, where the 49ers will play the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Shanahan also stated that Kittle is working hard in his rehab. He suffered the injury on January 11th, in the Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kittle is 32 years old, but he is as productive as ever.

Shanahan cherishes Kittle for many reasons

Not only is Kittle a role model, with no off-field issues, but he is also an incredible football players. Kittle, as a tight end, is a superstar. He catches the ball as good as anyone, and he is arguably one of the best blocking tight ends in the league.

Hence, Shanahan loves having him. He sees Kittle as a leader of men, but also as a guy that can help both in the passing game, and in the running game. Shanahan is a run-game savant, so having an elite blocker like Kittle is music to his ears.

The 49ers suffered way too many injuries in 2025

The 49ers saw Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Kittle get season-ending injuries, with Bosa and Williams suffering ACL tears. Fred Warner also suffered a significant ankle injury. Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, Yetur Gross-Matos, all were sidelined for weeks too.

Even players who were relevant all season long, like Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings, played under a plethora of injuries. McCaffrey’s injuries were more of a wear-and-tear matter, while Jennings played games while having broken ribs. The team hopes 2026 brings a bit more health to their roster.

By trading out of the first round, the 49ers went from six to eight picks. Per Shanahan, “That’s kind of what we were hoping for,” as he told Rich Eisen. “Our first goal was that the guy we wanted would fall to 27, but we got our second goal, and that was to trade back twice, accumulate some more picks, and still get the guy.

The 49ers ended up picking wideout De’Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd pick. According to Shanahan, they would’ve drafted him at 30. Stribling was projected as a third-rounder. Therefore, it was an eye-opening statement that they were even willing to pick him at 30.

De’Zhaun Stribling’s profile

A five-year College Football player, Stribling is a big, tall player that has a great straight-line speed, as his 4.36-second 40-yard dash showed. He is a great vertical threat. Stribling also has great hands, but he has a very specific skill set. He goes deep, that’s it.

Stribling doesn’t have great release or change of directions. However, given that the 49ers have people like Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall on the roster, what they lack is a true vertical threat, the rest is covered. Hence, it was mostly the fact that they could fill a hole on the roster by picking Stribling.

The 49ers projected offensive lineup in 2026

The offensive line will be spearheaded by left tackle Trent Williams joined by guards Robert Jones and Dominick Puni, center Jake Brendel, and right tackle Colton McKivitz. They will be in charge of pass protection and run blocking. As for Stribling, he’s not expected to be a starter.

QB- Brock Purdy
RB- Christian McCaffrey
TE- George Kittle*
LWR- Mike Evans
RWR- Ricky Pearsall
SWR- Christian Kirk

*Nursing injury.

The insights provided by Adam Schefter during a recent appearance on 49ers Access with Sterling Bennett suggest that the receiver’s current contract is the primary sticking point. “I think the reason a team is not trading for him right now is they don’t want to assume the current contract that he has,” Schefter explained on the show, noting that his silence has stalled any forward progress.

Schefter further elaborated that the communication breakdown is a league-wide issue, as rival executives have also hit a wall when trying to reach the playmaker. “It’s a situation where he hasn’t been in clear and constant communication with the Niners and they have had a hard time getting a hold of him,” he added, suggesting teams may avoid the drama when there are plenty of top offensive players available in the NFL market right now without such baggage.

What happens if the 49ers can’t find a trade for Aiyuk?

If a trade partner doesn’t materialize, San Francisco will have to decide whether to force a “hold-in” situation or cave to Aiyuk’s high-end contract demands. Given his current cap hit, the 49ers are essentially holding an elite asset that they cannot effectively utilize or move unless the player re-establishes a professional dialogue with the front office.

Aiyuk’s value remains historically high following a 2023 season where he hauled in 75 catches for over 1,342 yards and seven TDs, proving to be on the most reliable target in Kyle Shanahan’s system. However, his absence from voluntary workouts have made rival teams wary of the high price of admission.

Until the communication barrier is broken, Aiyuk remains in a state of limbo that could potentially bleed into the start of training camp and the regular season. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations like the 49ers, having their top receiving threat disconnected from the organization is a distraction they desperately need to resolve before September.

“No new update right now,” Lynch told reporters when asked about the wide receiver status, per Ari Meirov. “Like I said earlier, I think it is the prudent thing to do (trade).

“He’s an extremely talented player, he’s been an extremely effective player in our league. The situation didn’t work itself out here, that’s not to say it cannot be rekindled somewhere else. We’d be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”

Aiyuk did not see game action during 2025 after suffering a serious injury. In addition, his massive contract is another factor why the 49ers would be looking for a different destination for him. What will ultimately be his place going forward?

Aiyuk’s contract situation

As of April 2026, Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation with the San Francisco 49ers has reached a critical inflection point following a tumultuous period. Although he signed a massive four-year, $120 million extension in August 2024, the relationship has soured significantly after Aiyuk missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL and subsequent friction with the front office.

Crucially, the 49ers voided his $27 million salary guarantees for 2026 late last year, citing his failure to fulfill contractual obligations. Following the 2026 NFL Draft this past weekend, General Manager John Lynch confirmed that while Aiyuk remains on the roster, the team is actively seeking a trade partner.

However, a move is more likely to occur after June 1st, as the dead money hit to the 49ers’ salary cap would drop from nearly $30 million to just over $8 million, effectively signaling the end of his tenure in San Francisco.

Are there any suitors for Aiyuk?

The Washington Commanders have maintained significant interest in landing the former All-Pro receiver to pair him with Jayden Daniels. While the 49ers would prefer a trade to salvage some value, reports indicate that the Commanders could take a swing in Brandon Aiyuk if 49ers release the WR, allowing them to secure a high-upside weapon without sacrificing draft assets.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Commanders have “significant interest” in signing Aiyuk, however, it would only happen under the condition that he is released by the 49ers. Having said that, 49ers GM John Lynch said the team is not releasing Aiyuk.

Hence, the Commanders won’t engage in trade talks, but will be ready to offer a contract for a wideout that hasn’t played a game since October 2024. He suffered an ACL tear there, and after the injury, he’s had a tumultuous time with the 49ers.

Aiyuk has ties with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels shined at LSU, but he played with Brandon Aiyuk at Arizona State. Hence, that could be a way of tempting Aiyuk of going to the Commanders. The team only has Terry McLaurin as a great option for Daniels, so Aiyuk, if back to top form, could definitely help the team.

Jayden Daniels himself is trying to get a bounceback year after not having the best of seasons in 2025. Daniels suffered a sophomore slump after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and dealt with quite a lot of injuries too.

The Commanders need an offensive star after the 2026 NFL Draft

The Commanders picked Sonny Styles in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He is easily one of the best players in this class and he will do wonders for the team defensively. However, the offense needs help.

In the third round, the Commanders drafted Antonio Williams, a wide receiver from Clemson. However, they need firepower and Aiyuk could be that. Still, not having played in two years is not precisely the way to remain a top-tier weapon.

Matt Maiocco reported on X that Lynch even went as far as holding up his phone to the media, jokingly signaling to the rest of the league, “We’re available, give us a call.” This public invitation suggests that while the 49ers are still hoping to find a trade partner.

The situation has become increasingly complicated after Aiyuk missed the entire 2025 NFL season due to a severe knee injury, which reportedly led the team to void some of his future salary guarantees. Despite the friction, Lynch emphasized that the 49ers are “not planning to release him any time soon.“

What can the 49ers get in an Aiyuk trade?

If the 49ers can facilitate a trade before or during the summer, they could potentially recoup valuable draft capital to continue building around quarterback Brock Purdy. Moving Aiyuk would also clear significant hurdles in their future salary cap, which currently sits in a healthy position but faces massive upcoming extensions for other key defensive stars.

By holding out for a trade rather than a release, San Francisco maintains leverage over interested suitors like the Washington Commanders, who have been linked to Aiyuk for months. A successful deal would likely involve a combination of mid-round picks, providing the Niners with the “cheap labor” necessary to sustain their championship window while offloading a complex contract.

Should a trade fail to materialize, the team could still opt for a post-June 1 release to minimize the dead money hit on the 2026 books. However, for now, the 49ers seem content to play the long game, waiting to see if a desperate team finally bites on Lynch’s open invitation to pick up the phone and talk business.

San Francisco receives the 152nd overall pick in the move, adding valuable draft capital for the final day of the event. Beyond the pick, the front office successfully clears $3.6 million in cap space to provide more financial flexibility for future roster moves.

Winters enters Dallas coming off a career-best 2025 NFL campaign where he started all 17 games for the 49ers. He recorded an impressive 101 total tackles and a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown, proving his value as a full-time defensive contributor.

49ers’ current cap space

Following the Dee Winters trade, the 49ers currently boast a healthy cap space of $42,348,668. According to Over The Cap, this figure ranks the Niners fourth in the NFL for available room entering the 2026 season, sitting just behind the Los Angeles Chargers.

This $42 million cushion grants general manager John Lynch significant flexibility to add talent through the Draft or the remaining free-agent pool. The front office is expected to prioritize the wide receiver room, where affordable veteran depth could provide a much-needed spark for the upcoming campaign.

To further maximize their spending power, San Francisco could look to restructure high-profile deals for stars. Such tactical maneuvers would convert base salaries into signing bonuses, potentially pushing their available cap space well past the $50 million mark before the summer.

During the first round, the 49ers were originally set to select at 27th overall. However, they traded down with the Dolphins to move to the 30th pick, before trading again with the Jets to slide to No. 33.

Lynch, who recently revealed that AI is now a core part of the 49ers’ draft process, may not be finished maneuvering. He indicated that the team is “always open for business” regarding the first pick of the second round.

“I think the cool thing about the 33rd pick, it puts you in a really nice — we can kind of reconvene, reset our board, reset our thoughts, and I think it’s also a coveted pick as a lot of teams are doing that themselves,” GM John Lynch said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “So, that’s where we’re at.”

Are the 49ers unimpressed by the 2026 NFL Draft class?

According to reports, the 49ers were interested in adding a wide receiver in the first round. Nevertheless, with their top options off the board, they chose to trade down and accumulate draft stock instead.

This marked the third time in the last 30 years that the Niners did not make a first-round selection. Initially, Kyle Shanahan expected to receive trade offers for quarterback Mac Jones to potentially move higher than 27th, but no such offers arrived; the team now expects him to return for the 2026 season.

With Lynch hinting at another trade-down from No. 33, some believe San Francisco is unimpressed by the current class. However, the team still needs offensive weapons, leaving fans to wonder how they will address those needs given the limited options remaining in free agency.

The 49ers are not the only team interested in trading down

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the 49ers are receiving multiple calls for the No. 33 overall pick. However, they are not the only ones looking to move out of the top of the second round.

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed that the 49ers, Cardinals, and Bills—the first three teams set to select on Day 2—have all received calls. Much of the afternoon’s trade activity will likely depend on what San Francisco decides to do when the clock starts today.

Per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Shanahan was fully expecting on receiving calls for Mac Jones and was surprised that those didn’t happen. He then reported that Shanahan expects Jones to be back with the team for next season after no business was made.

Jones played a key role last season when Brock Purdy got injured. As the backup quarterback, Jones entered the mix and delivered. Jones started eight games and had a 5-3 record. He completed 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Shanahan should’ve tried to keep the 49ers first-rounder

San Francisco had the 27th pick but traded down to the 30th with the Dolphins, who also gave the 90th pick. Then, they traded that 30th pick with the Jets for pick no.33 and a fifth-rounder (179). Hence, no picks were made in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

However, was this wise? The 49ers had two glaring holes to address. They need a wide receiver more, and they need offensive line help. By trading down, they allowed the Jets to take one of the wideouts on the board. Also, at this point, no top-tier linemen remains. It might have been a costly mistake.

49ers GM Lynch explained the reasoning behind the trades

John Lynch stated, “Now, I will tell you we don’t have a ton of picks in this draft, so it does make some sense to where, ‘How can we find some more picks?’ And we’ll certainly be open to that.” Now, having more picks doesn’t translate to having better players.

That’s the challenge now. The 49ers need to show more capital means a better roster. It’s usually in round 1 where you find those immediate gamechangers. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find them later, but it’s way, way tougher.

The general manager noted the 49ers’ use of AI during a recent press conference: “Yeah. A lot. Just like the rest of the world. I think if you aren’t using it, you’re already behind. … Just like you at home planning a travel itinerary, you can just ask the thing, and it can spit out pretty good things. Some pretty good ideas.”

By leaning into these digital tools, the 49ers aim to maintain a competitive edge in the upcoming draft. Lynch’s comments suggest that AI is no longer a luxury for NFL front offices, but a necessary asset for projecting player success and optimizing roster construction.

The 49ers are not alone in using AI

Lynch openly acknowledged that the 49ers are using AI in their talent evaluation process, but he’s not the first prominent figure to speak on it. Aaron Glenn also revealed that the New York Jets are currently learning how to incorporate these tools.

“These guys are on top of that,” Glenn said on March 31 while speaking to the media. “Those guys are teaching us how to utilize all of that stuff and it’s been outstanding, so we’re trying to take that next step, us as coaches.” He also joked that AI will have nothing to do with the Jets’ play-calling decisions.

On April 11, Kevin Seifert of ESPN published a detailed report outlining how some teams are already using AI to prepare for the upcoming draft, revealing that the Minnesota Vikings are also exploring the technology. At the same time, final draft decisions will remain entirely human.

According to a report by Ari Meirov, Lynch admitted to holding trade talks but noted a high probability of a taker hasn’t emerged yet. He emphasized that the team will “see it through the draft” before re-evaluating, while essentially confirming Aiyuk has likely played his final snap for the 49ers.

The situation remains fluid as the draft approaches, with the organization seemingly prepared to move on if the right deal surfaces. Lynch’s transparency reflects the difficult reality of managing star talent and roster turnover in a tight championship window.

Would the 49ers lose much if Aiyuk departs?

Aiyuk is a player deeply familiar with the organization, having been with the team since 2020. Although he did not play in 2025, his production in 2022 and 2023 stands out, recording over 1,000 receiving yards in each season. That track record highlights a receiver who understood how to maximize the offense and contribute at a high level.

One of the players who could feel his absence the most is Brock Purdy, who had developed strong chemistry with Aiyuk. Moving forward, Purdy would need to build timing with a new target, a process that could take time. Still, Lynch noted that if no trade materializes, the possibility of Aiyuk remaining with the team cannot be fully ruled out.

The 2024 season brought not only controversy for Aiyuk, but also a significant injury. A torn ACL in his knee has likely impacted his trade value, as teams may hesitate to acquire a player coming off a major injury who did not log a single snap in 2025.