The 49ers are short on help at wide receiver right now, but Brandon Aiyuk’s latest move is not yet forcing their hand.
As San Francisco comes out of its Week 8 bye, the team is dealing with injuries to Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and several other top wideout options. Aiyuk, meanwhile, is healthy but not playing, and he has now taken a step that could put him on a path back to the NFL.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Aiyuk was nearing a new agent hire. ESPN’s Adam Schefter then confirmed the report and said Aiyuk has hired Drew Rosenhaus as he tries to return to the league. Schefter reported: "Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has hired Drew Rosenhaus for representation, and the agent said that he is 'working on getting him back to work and playing again in the NFL,'"
For the 49ers, though, this does not create any immediate action item. Aiyuk cannot begin the comeback process until he files for reinstatement with the team. Until that paperwork is submitted, San Francisco does not need to do anything.
Once that happens, the situation changes fast. The 49ers would then have to decide what to do with his contract and how to move forward.
A trade is technically an option, but it does not look like a realistic one. The source notes that it is highly unlikely another team would give up draft capital or anything of value for Aiyuk, especially with the money attached to his deal.
The more likely outcome, if he does file for reinstatement, is a release. That would allow the 49ers to avoid paying him significant money when he is not expected to suit up for them again.
Aiyuk has not filed for reinstatement yet, and after a turbulent offseason there has been no real movement toward a return until now. His hiring of Rosenhaus is the clearest sign yet that he wants back in, but for the 49ers, it remains a situation to watch rather than one that demands an answer today.
If the paperwork comes in, the clock starts. And at that point, Aiyuk’s run in San Francisco would likely be over.
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