Brandon Aiyuk Applies for NFL Reinstatement, Will Report to 49ers Facility, Agent Says

Brandon Aiyuk has taken another step in his attempt to return to the NFL by applying for reinstatement after being placed on the reserve/left squad list by the San Francisco 49ers in December 2025.

Drew Rosenhaus, who was hired as Aiyuk's agent on Monday, told ESPN's Adam Schefter the veteran wide receiver has turned in the required paperwork to apply for reinstatement and he will report to the 49ers' facilities on Friday.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner added this is the first step from Aiyuk's side to force the 49ers into trading or releasing him. The team's preference has been to find a trade, but Wagoner noted it would "seem unlikely" and a release would be the next logical step.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that he does not expect the Washington Commanders to be "in the market" for Aiyuk, noting that the wide receiver made remarks "that make it unlikely" a deal happens.

Aiyuk officially hired Rosenhaus to represent him on Monday. He revealed on social media in June that he had been without an agent since November 2025 after terminating his standard representation agreement with Ryan Williams of Athletes First.

The situation between Aiyuk and the 49ers has been going on for nearly one full calendar year. The club voided the remaining guaranteed money in his contract last November for reportedly going months without attending meetings and declining to participate in other team activities.

That later led to the Niners putting Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list on Dec. 13. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have made it clear they don't seem open to the idea of Aiyuk playing for San Francisco again.

Lynch told reporters in January it was "safe to assume" had already played his final game with the 49ers. Shanahan said in September, when their injuries were starting to pile up at the receiver position, he would not consider Aiyuk to fill an opening.

It has been more than two full years since Aiyuk last played in an NFL game. He tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee during a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 18, 2024.

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers in August 2024. He was coming off the best season of his career with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 to help San Francisco reach the Super Bowl.