Not expected to play for 49ers again, Brandon Aiyuk wants reinstated; HC Kyle Shanahan says situation won’t affect team

A meeting at team headquarters

Aiyuk and agent Drew Rosenhaus visited the 49ers facility on Friday. They sought to return to play and reach some kind of resolution with the team. The visit came as San Francisco stood 6-1, led the NFC West and welcomed injured players back. The story described the team’s energy as strong, though not every situation was settled.

A relationship under strain

Aiyuk’s ties with San Francisco have included a trade request, difficult contract talks and an extension, followed by further disputes. The relationship deteriorated after his knee injury and disagreement over rehabilitation.

Aiyuk has not played since Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore both his ACL and MCL. He declined to complete rehabilitation at the team facility, and the 49ers later voided his guaranteed money and placed him on the reserve/left squad list.

Shanahan distances the team

Shanahan dismissed the matter as unrelated to the team’s football operations. “I will give zero thoughts to,” the coach said of issues he considered separate from the football team.

The story says Aiyuk is not expected to play for San Francisco again. If he is reinstated, it says, that would need to involve a separation from the 49ers so he could play elsewhere.

Questions about his next team

Aiyuk is 28 and had been a strong player early in his career, but he has missed two years and is recovering from a major injury. The story also describes him as difficult to manage, even during better periods.

Finding a team willing to take him on may be challenging, though the story notes that one interested club could be enough. It does not identify a team pursuing him.