San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk returned to the team's Santa Clara offices on Friday and has begun the process of filing for reinstatement to the NFL. Aiyuk, who recently hired agent Drew Rosenhaus, told reporters he is healthy and ready to play after a lengthy recovery. "I'm feeling great, feeling healthy, been a long recovery process, long rehab process but I'm back to 100% and looking to get reinstated to the National Football League," Aiyuk said.
Contract and Financial Obstacles
According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, Aiyuk owes the 49ers approximately $13 million in bonus forfeiture. The team signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million extension in August 2024, then voided about $27 million in 2026 salary guarantees the following July after he failed to meet contractual requirements. Aiyuk was subsequently placed on the reserve/left squad list. The NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association are working toward a resolution, though the process may take time. The 49ers still hold Aiyuk's rights; upon reinstatement, they would need to trade or release him. San Francisco has previously been unable to trade him, making a release a possibility once the financial issue is settled.
Background and Saga
Aiyuk emerged as one of the NFL's top receivers in 2023, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns as the 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII. He ranked third in yards per route run (3.1) and led the league with 81.3% of receptions resulting in a first down or touchdown. He joined Jerry Rice as the only players in franchise history with seven 100-yard receiving games in a season. After a contract holdout that included public trade demands and a reported 104 mph speeding incident near the team facility, Aiyuk signed the extension but tore his ACL in Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Kansas City Chiefs. He missed the remainder of that season and all of 2025 while engaging in a public dispute with the organization on social media.
Now, with Aiyuk taking formal steps toward reinstatement, the league and the players' union are addressing the financial complications. The 49ers' next move — whether to trade or release the 26-year-old — will likely follow once the $13 million matter is resolved.
