Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t stepped onto an NFL field in over two years, but the 28-year-old former 49ers wide receiver is finally making a clear move to get back into the league. He just hired super agent Drew Rosenhaus, per multiple reports, with Rosenhaus explicitly tasked with “working on getting [Aiyuk] back to work and playing again in the NFL.”
Two Years Off The Field, And A Whole Lot Of Drama
It’s been a wild ride for Aiyuk since he last played. Back in the 2024 season, he suffered an ACL and MCL injury that sidelined him. He was initially placed on the PUP list before the 2025 season even began. But things went sideways fast. His relationship with the 49ers absolutely cratered, leading to him not playing a single game in 2025, even though he was still under contract. You can’t make this stuff up.
Aiyuk had been repped by agent Ryan Williams, who he reportedly fired last November. Aiyuk was actually pointing fingers at Williams, blaming him for the whole ugly situation with the 49ers. Then in December, San Francisco slapped Aiyuk on the dreaded reserve/left team list, and guess what? He’s still stuck there. After ditching Williams, Aiyuk took his frustrations straight to social media, making it super public that he wanted to link up with the Washington Commanders. Remember, he and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels even played together for a season at Arizona State. But that whole trade fantasy? It never came true.
So Many Questions, So Few Answers
Now, with Rosenhaus in his corner, Aiyuk claims he’s serious about an NFL return. But man, his path forward is as clear as mud. First off, he probably needs to show everyone he’s genuinely committed to playing again. The big question is, would Aiyuk even be willing to report to the team if the 49ers demanded it? That’s a huge unknown.
And what about league interest? Yeah, Aiyuk was an immensely talented player in 2022 and 2023, absolutely electric. But he hasn’t played in two full seasons, and let’s be real, he spent the last offseason actively sabotaging any chance he had of returning to the 49ers. With all those injury questions swirling around, plus the personal baggage from his standoff, how much interest is he really going to drum up on the trade market? Even though the 49ers themselves could definitely use some help at wide receiver right now, thanks to their own injury woes, it doesn’t look like they’re rolling out the welcome mat for Aiyuk. When head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Aiyuk’s possible return back in September, his answer was a blunt, simple “no.” This guy is still under contract with San Francisco through the 2028 season, remember. He signed a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024, just months before that knee injury hit. That’s a massive contract for a player who hasn’t played in two years.
What Now For Aiyuk?
So, here we are. Aiyuk has an agent, he says he wants back in, but the mess he’s created is a mountain. Will any team take a chance on a player who hasn’t seen the field in two years, carries significant injury concerns, and has a very public history of team drama? It’s a massive gamble. We’ll all be watching to see if Drew Rosenhaus can actually work some magic here, or if this whole situation just keeps dragging on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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