Brandon Aiyuk Linked to NFC Mystery Team in New NFL Rumors After Passing 49ers Physical

It appears that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is getting closer to returning to the field.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that Aiyuk passed his physical with the San Francisco 49ers and has officially been reinstated. He will now seek a release from the 49ers, and Schultz noted that "at least one NFC team has internally discussed the possibility of adding Aiyuk to its practice squad if and when that happens."

Aiyuk's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, hinted at where the wide receiver might sign as a free agent if he's released by San Francisco:

Per ESPN's Nick Wagoner , the NFL transaction wire stated that the 49ers received a two-game roster exemption to sort through any remaining business with Aiyuk before it expires on Monday, Nov. 23, after the team's Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City.

Aiyuk was on the 49ers' reserve/left squad list since last December after the team voided the guaranteed money in his contract for 2026 due to lack of participation while he recovered from knee injuries suffered in October 2024. Despite the impending end of the ongoing saga, head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed Aiyuk's reinstatement.

"It means absolutely nothing to our team," Shanahan said. "I think we got two-week roster exemption and that's all administrative stuff to me."

Aiyuk and his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met with the 49ers on Friday, and Shanahan said he couldn't "care less" about what happened in the meeting. The wideout provided a brief statement to reporters.

"I'm feeling great, feeling healthy," Aiyuk said. "It was a long recovery process, a long rehab process, but I'm back to 100% and looking to get reinstated to the National Football League."

The 49ers have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to try to trade Aiyuk, but it's hard to imagine any team giving up assets to acquire him. It's likely that San Francisco will release the 28-year-old at some point over the next two weeks, giving him the chance to resurrect his career elsewhere.