Brandon Aiyuk has hired Drew Rosenhaus to represent him, and this move means his time with the San Francisco 49ers is likely over. The 49ers are just coming out of their Week 8 bye, and they could really use some help at wide receiver right now with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and other top options all dealing with injuries. Aiyuk is healthy, but he hasn’t been playing, nor has he made any effort to return to the NFL until now.
A High-Stakes Agent Change for the 49ers
NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported that Aiyuk was nearing an agent hire, and then ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed it, revealing Rosenhaus is the new man. Rosenhaus didn’t waste any time, stating he is “‘working on getting him back to work and playing again in the NFL.’” This is huge news, even if the 49ers don’t have to stress about it just yet. Aiyuk’s comeback can only kick off once he actually files for reinstatement with the team. Until that paperwork hits, the 49ers don’t have to do a thing. But once it does, everything changes.
What Aiyuk’s Reinstatement Bid Means for San Francisco
The moment Aiyuk files for reinstatement, the 49ers will be put on the clock. They’ll have to make a big decision about his contract and figure out their next steps. While a trade might seem like an option, it’s highly unlikely any team will give up draft picks or anything valuable to get Aiyuk, especially since an acquiring team would be on the hook for a lot of cash. So, what’s the most probable outcome if Aiyuk does file the paperwork? The 49ers will likely just release him. This way, they can avoid paying a ton of money to a player who’s almost certainly not going to suit up for them ever again. Aiyuk had a tumultuous offseason and avoided filing for reinstatement for a long time, so there hasn’t been any real movement on a return until now. But with the 49ers just finishing their bye, he’s making his move.
This is definitely a situation the 49ers need to keep a close eye on. For now, they don’t have to make any decisions, but if Aiyuk pulls the trigger and files that paperwork, things are going to move fast. When that happens, expect his time in San Francisco to officially come to an end. Keep an eye out for any updates on Aiyuk’s reinstatement status. That’s the key trigger everyone’s waiting for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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