Pro Football Rumors
In recent weeks, Brandon Aiyuk‘s social media posts have made for regular talking points regarding his future. The disgruntled 49ers wideout took to Instagram once again on Tuesday.
Today marks the one-year anniversary of San Francisco voiding Aiyuk’s guarantees. It was not learned until much later that the team did so, and Aiyuk’s latest post states he informed the 49ers he would not be returning at any point in 2025. Through the campaign, public statements from the likes of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch indicated Aiyuk would be able to suit up upon returning to full health.
Aiyuk’s post accuses the 49ers of lying to the media and their fans by saying a return would be forthcoming when he made it clear he would no longer play for the team. Indeed, the 28-year-old remained sidelined for the entire season despite the fact he made progress in rehabbing an ACL tear. Aiyuk states he reached performance markers along an earlier timeline than was expected with respect to his recovery, adding the 49ers have footage and GPS data from the periods when he was at the team’s facility.
Largely speaking, Aiuyk was away from the 49ers following his ACL tear. That injury – and everything which has happened since – limited the former first-rounder to only seven games played after his lucrative extension was signed. In the wake of a Steelers trade agreement being worked out, San Francisco finalized a four-year, $120MM deal to keep Aiyuk in the Bay Area. This highly publicized divorce was confirmed by Lynch after the season ended, but the process required for it to officially take place has still not been initiated.
Aiyuk remains on the 49ers’ reserve/left squad list at this time. The Arizona State product has not filed for reinstatement, something which is necessary for him to be released. Aiyuk’s post reads in part, however, “I will not be reinstating with them nor ever doing any kind of business with them.”
This long-running saga may not end any time soon as a result. Aiyuk is not on the 49ers’ active roster and his 2026 salary will not be paid if the status quo remains through to Week 1. A refusal to apply for reinstatement will prevent Aiyuk from becoming a free agent and officially moving on, though. San Francisco has long given up hope of working out a trade in this case, and the nature of Aiyuk’s market – whenever he becomes a free agent – figures to be rather tepid.
Aiyuk’s post ends with, “I’m locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season!” and another reference to his desire to join the Commanders. Washington’s interest has waned over the course of the offseason, and an apparent social media spat between Aiyuk and former college teammate Jayden Daniels has cast further doubt on the viability of a Washington signing. That remains Aiyuk’s target, but his stance as it pertains to a long-awaited 49ers departure has...
