Talk about a messy divorce! The San Francisco 49ers are straight up expected to cut wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and it could happen as soon as the trade deadline passes. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, pretty much said the guy is stuck in “no man’s land,” in total “limbo” with the Niners. Rosenhaus isn’t pulling punches, confirming that Aiyuk still hasn’t coughed up the $13 million he owes the 49ers. What a situation, right?
Agent Confident, Shanahan Not So Much
Rosenhaus isn’t holding back, talking about everything from Aiyuk’s roster exemption to the very real possibility the 49ers release his client. But here’s the kicker: Aiyuk’s agent is absolutely convinced Brandon will play this season. “I definitely expect him to play this season,” Rosenhaus said, then added, “Judging by the comments of Shanahan, it doesn’t sound like bringing Brandon back. So when the two weeks are over, it’s my job to potentially find a new team for him. And I’m confident, now that he’s healthy, he will play.” Rosenhaus stressed that the $13 million Aiyuk owes is something they’ll “work out separate and distinct from the issue of him playing. Hopefully, we’ll work something out to the benefit of Brandon’s, and something that’s fair. That’s also part of my job.” You gotta wonder, how does a player rack up a $13 million debt to his own team? That’s a huge hurdle to clear for any new squad.
Aiyuk’s Bill of Health and Rosenhaus’s Pitch
So, what’s Rosenhaus telling potential suitors? He went on Pat McAfee’s show Tuesday morning and laid it all out. He’d be telling teams Aiyuk “has passed many physicals with the 49ers.” Apparently, Aiyuk “had an MRI. He’s had X-Rays. He had a physical exam, and he passed it with flying colors.” He’s not just sitting around either, Rosenhaus says Aiyuk is “working out on his own. He’s running routes. He’s catching footballs. He says he’s 100% ready to play.” And if the 49ers do release him, Rosenhaus confirmed they’d “be glad to go work out for interested teams.” The agent, who’s only known Aiyuk for “an entire week” (yeah, you heard that right, a whole *week*), believes his client is “in a good place” after meeting with the 49ers, doing “a good job in the meetings,” saying hello to John Lynch, and meeting with the team. Sounds like a whirlwind week for Rosenhaus.
The “Familiar Faces” Theory and What’s Next
Rosenhaus has a theory on where Aiyuk might land, figuring he’d “probably sign with a team that knows him. That somebody that is somehow affiliated with him, either in college or the 49ers.” He’s talking about a “former coach. Maybe a former player that he played with. Somebody that knows him.” It’s a common move in the NFL, connecting the dots where there’s history. But here’s the tough part: Rosenhaus thinks landing on a practice squad is the “most plausible outcome” for Aiyuk. It could take “multiple weeks for him to work his way into playing shape” wherever he ends up. Potential spots could be Washington, or Las Vegas where Klint Kubiak was the offensive coordinator during Aiyuk’s career year. Arizona with Mike LaFleur, who was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2020 when they drafted Aiyuk, is another possibility. This whole thing is a total mess for Aiyuk, and it looks like his agent has his work cut out for him trying to get his client back on the field and those financials sorted. What a saga!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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