Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk returned to the San Francisco 49ers' facility on Friday to meet with team executives, as he seeks reinstatement after a prolonged absence. Aiyuk has not played in an NFL game since tearing knee ligaments in October 2024. His absence followed a chaotic offseason during which he failed to report for training camp, leading to speculation about his future with the team.
Aiyuk's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed Aiyuk's presence, stating that the receiver is healthy and ready to resume playing. "Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field," Rosenhaus told ESPN earlier in the week. Aiyuk himself expressed optimism, saying, "I'm feeling great, feeling healthy. It's been a long recovery process but I'm back to 100 percent and looking to get reinstated into the National Football League."
Reports indicate that Aiyuk has submitted the necessary paperwork to the NFL for reinstatement. However, the league has informed Aiyuk and the NFLPA that he must repay approximately $13 million in bonuses received after signing a four-year, $120 million extension before the 2024 season. A person with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the league sent a letter to Aiyuk and the NFLPA detailing this requirement.
San Francisco general manager John Lynch described the situation as "unique" and stated the team is working with the NFL management council to navigate it. "My job is to look out for the best interests of the 49ers, and as such, in this particular situation, we're working with the NFL management council to navigate through kind of a different situation," Lynch told KNBR. "It's fluid. I'm going to kind of leave it at that."
Adding to the complexity, Aiyuk reportedly has an active arrest warrant in Santa Clara County related to a speeding incident earlier this year where he was allegedly caught driving at 104 mph outside Levi's Stadium. The Santa Clara Police Department stated that officers in the vicinity of the 49ers' facility on Friday were responding to an "unrelated call for service."
Despite Aiyuk's attempt to return, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed a lack of engagement with the situation. "No clue, your guess is as good as mine. I couldn't care less. It's been over for our football team for a long time… I look at this as it has zero to do with our football team," Shanahan said. According to ESPN, the most probable outcome is that the 49ers will release Aiyuk, even if he is reinstated.