Brandon Aiyuk is officially ready to take the next step and force the 49ers’ hand
The ugly saga between the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk looks like it may be ready for the final chapter.
The wild, wacky, road that we’ve watched the San Francisco 49ers and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk travel together over the past several seasons is one of the craziest storylines we’ve seen. And yet here we are. The 49ers have sprinted out to a strong start this season with Aiyuk shelved along the way.
Why? Well…you know…reasons. But it sounds like Aiyuk is ready to return to football. According to his agent, Drew Rosenahus, Aiyuk will report to the 49ers facility this week. He has filled out the paperwork needed for reinstatement to the league.
WR Brandon Aiyuk is ready to force the San Francisco 49ers’ hand — and will report to the facility on Friday
Once upon a time, this kind of news would have been wonderful news for the 49ers wide receiver room, especially amid the waves of injuries that have hammered San Francisco’s skill group throughout October. But that is, at this stage, in an alternate universe. Aiyuk’s intention to return to play is nothing more than a headache.
San Francisco has held the cards this whole time — having stripped Aiyuk of his guaranteed money for conduct detrimental to the team but refusing to release him from the contract. Instead, they’ve placed him on the reserve/left squad list.
By filing the paperwork and reporting to the 49ers’ facility, Aiyuk is now in position to force San Francisco to release him. It’s a safe bet that Aiyuk’s trade value is non-existent, and the 49ers almost assuredly would not entertain him back on their roster amid the battles these two sides of waged over the past few years. Should Aiyuk be granted his reinstatement and release, he’ll get a chance to try to shop himself around for a new home. The only thing I’m rooting for is that whoever he picks plays the 49ers along the way.
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