Brandon Aiyuk has put the final nail in his own coffin after his latest stunt and it’s all because he can’t set aside his pride
Brandon Aiyuk is refusing to do the one thing he has to do in order to get back into the NFL and it’s all because he can’t get over his beef with the San Francisco 49ers.
Another day, another layer to the Brandon Aiyuk saga.
But this time, it may be the final strike. And it would be on Aiyuk’s own accord.
Aiyuk put out another social media post on Tuesday, revealing more details on what happened between him and the San Francisco 49ers. The key takeaway from his message didn’t have anything to do with the 49ers, though.
It instead had to do with his own future. Which appears to no longer involve in the NFL, and that’s based on his own words.
According to Brandon Aiyuk himself, he has zero intention in applying for reinstatement “with the 49ers”.
The catch, however, is he has to do that if he wants to get back into the league and play for another team. Unless the 49ers release him themselves, and it’s clear that’s not happening.
Aiyuk’s full message is below:
“November: The team continued to lie to the media/fan base acting as if that was not a decision that was made in July. Continually saying that I would be returning despite the fact that I told them on numerous occasions that I would not be. With the severity of my injury and guarantees no longer on the table that was not an option.
We are 1 year from the date in which they made the decision to void my guarantees due to “missed rehab” yet they have the footage and the gps information that shows I reached markers I never hit even before injury. All before the required recovery time ordered by the surgeon.
I will not be reinstating with them nor ever doing any kind of business with them. I”m locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season!”
#RAISEHAIL
Who knows if Aiyuk continues to play hardball or if he’s just hardheaded. One can easily make an argument for both and the latter is more logical when factoring in his recent behavior.
And this latest stunt has people at every level of association with NFL turned off to the point where it does look like his time in the league is over.
Unless he actually does something about it himself, of course. But as of right now, it appears his pride is too big to let that happen.
Brandon Aiyuk is burning bridges before he can even build them
A to Z Sports’ own Rob Gregson got the chance to speak with an NFL player rep about Aiyuk’s antics and it’s clear the embattled receiver is falling out of favor all across the league.
“Would assume he’s done in the league. It was stupid for the 49ers to entertain signing him, they should have traded him. He’s gone beyond the Antonio Brown route this point and anyone, including the Commanders would be crazy to add him to the locker room. I mean is even working out? He’s not helping himself and doesn’t have the capacity to play anymore.”
NFL player rep
On Brandon Aiyuk
You never say never in the NFL, but sometimes, players go a step further than anyone in the league wants to deal with. At this point, Aiyuk has gone 10 steps further, with Tuesday’s social media posts being the latest in a long line of questionable decisions.
I would also implore people to remember that the Aiyuk drama didn’t start this offseason. This is someone who was calling out the 49ers for his lack of usage in the Super Bowl. Someone who openly flirted with the idea of joining the Pittsburgh Steelers after tweeting at Mike Tomlin during his contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers.
The extreme posts, more than questionable decisions, and arrest warrants are new, but Aiyuk has a long history of being a headache. Pairing that history with a player who hasn’t played meaningful football in almost two years after a debilitating knee injury is how you get to where we are today.
The message is ultimately clear: Aiyuk isn’t touching a football field in official capacity until he swallows his pride and applies for reinstatement.
He can post all he wants, but it won’t change anything. No matter how hard he tries or how much he wants it to.