Aiyuk turns to veteran agent
Brandon Aiyuk has hired agent Drew Rosenhaus as the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver attempts to resume his NFL career after more than a year away from game action. Rosenhaus confirmed the arrangement to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday, saying his immediate objective is to help the player return to football.
“working on getting [Aiyuk] back to work and playing again in the NFL.”
Aiyuk has not played since Oct. 20, 2024, when he suffered a serious injury to his right knee during San Francisco’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury involved his anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus, according to the report. His absence has since continued through a separate dispute with the 49ers over his status and participation.
Return requires league approval
The receiver is currently listed on the team’s reserve/did not report list. Before he can take part in NFL play again, he must apply to the league for reinstatement. If that request is approved, San Francisco would then have to determine how to handle his contractual and roster rights.
- Aiyuk must seek NFL reinstatement before returning to play.
- He is not being paid while on the reserve/did not report list.
- San Francisco has previously attempted to trade him without reaching a deal.
The 49ers have repeatedly indicated that a return to the team is unlikely. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have both said Aiyuk will not play for San Francisco again. When Shanahan was asked in September whether the club might reconsider, despite injuries affecting its receiving group, he answered “no.”
Dispute with San Francisco
The relationship between Aiyuk and the organization deteriorated over the past year. In July 2025, the 49ers voided about $27 million in guaranteed money after the club said Aiyuk had missed required rehabilitation sessions and check-ins. San Francisco later placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December after he stopped reporting to the facility.
Aiyuk also criticized the team publicly on social media during the summer and pushed for his release. He had expressed interest in joining the Washington Commanders, where he could have reunited with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. Washington has since signed veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, leaving the possibility of that destination uncertain.
A productive start in San Francisco
The 49ers selected Aiyuk with the 25th pick in the 2020 draft. He was 28 when the report was published and earned second-team All-Pro recognition in 2023 after recording 75 catches, 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drafted | 25th overall by San Francisco in 2020 |
| Last game | Oct. 20, 2024 |
| 2023 production | 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, seven touchdowns |
| Current status | Reserve/did not report list |
While he remains on that list, Aiyuk is not receiving a salary and does not count against San Francisco’s roster. His next step is therefore tied first to the league’s reinstatement process, followed by a decision from the 49ers about whether to retain, trade or otherwise resolve his rights. Rosenhaus’s involvement brings a new representative into a situation that remains unresolved on both the football and contractual fronts.
