Who Should I Start? Marquise Brown or Brandon Aiyuk

Wednesday, February 25, 9:01 AM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown opened the 2025 season with a bang, hauling in 10 catches for 99 yards on 16 targets in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the 28-year-old was not able to maintain his hot start and saw his role in the Chiefs' offense gradually fade over the course of the season. Across 16 games overall, Brown recorded 49 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets. Heading into his age-29 season, Brown is now set to hit unrestricted free agency. Chiefs WR1 Rashee Rice is currently being sued by the mother of his children for alleged physical abuse and is being investigated by the NFL for violations of the league's personal conduct policy. As a result, there could be an opening for playing time in Kansas City if the team chooses to bring Brown back on a new contract. Still, Brown's production has been on a gradual decline since his banner 2021 season, when he recorded 1,008 yards and six touchdown catches as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. His fantasy outlook is likely trending in the wrong direction heading into 2026, regardless of where he signs in free agency.

Wednesday, February 25, 5:14 AM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine that "nothing will happen until the new league year" when discussing parting ways with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. We already know that Aiyuk won't be playing for the Niners in 2026, but he won't be officially released until the start of the new league year next month. The 27-year-old former first-rounder signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the team in August of 2024 and then played in only seven games that year, catching 25 of 47 targets for 374 yards and no touchdowns. Aiyuk didn't play at all in 2025 due to his knee injury and wasn't going to return to the Bay Area after the team voided guarantees in his contract. He'll certainly attract attention on the open market, but fantasy managers will be wary after all the missed time.