Wayward 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk hires agent in first step toward possible NFL return

After months of bizarre rants, followed by months of strange silence, Brandon Aiyuk has made his intentions clear: He wants back in the NFL.

The 28-year-old wide receiver, who has remained on the San Francisco 49ers ' reserve/left squad list since December, hired agent Drew Rosenhaus for representation on Monday, according to ESPN. Rosenhaus told ESPN he is "working on getting (Aiyuk) back to work and playing again in the NFL."

Aiyuk last played an NFL snap on Oct. 20, 2024, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk was expected to make a full recovery and play again for the 49ers during the 2025 season.

A relationship that deteriorated over the course of multiple years reached a point of no return last season. Aiyuk is no longer welcomed in the team facility. General manager John Lynch said in January that his 2020 first-round pick would never again play a snap with the Niners.

The feeling is mutual. Aiyuk has made clear he does not want anything to do with Lynch, or head coach Kyle Shanahan , or anyone in the 49ers' organization, over the course of the past year.

"We is not cool. We won't be cool," Aiyuk said in an explosive June rant posted to his YouTube channel, with many expletives uttered to describe his disdain for Lynch and Shanahan.

Mentioning Aiyuk's name in the 49ers' building has become a forbidden act. The last time Shanahan spoke on the record about Aiyuk was Sept. 20, following a win over the Miami Dolphins. As wide receiver injuries began grow, he was asked if Aiyuk could be an option to provide some depth.

The days of Aiyuk running routes for Brock Purdy are long gone. In order for him to secure an NFL comeback, however, Aiyuk and his agent would need to do one more piece of official business with the 49ers, who still own his rights. San Francisco would need to release Aiyuk after he applies for reinstatement with the NFL. He would then be free to sign with another team.