Brandon Aiyuk refuses reinstatement, accuses 49ers of lying as NFL future remains in limbo

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues to air his grievances on social media as his tumultuous offseason drags on. The disgruntled receiver remains furious with the organization, insisting the 49ers wronged him.

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension before suffering ACL and MCL injuries during the 2024 season. He has not appeared in an NFL game since.

During his rehabilitation, Aiyuk's relationship with the 49ers reportedly deteriorated. The 49ers voided his guaranteed money after the receiver failed to meet his contractual obligations. Aiyuk eventually cut off communication with the organization, prompting the team to place him on the reserve/left squad list, where he remains.

On Instagram, Aiyuk revealed that he has no intention of filing for reinstatement—a necessary step to be removed from the reserve/left squad list and better facilitate a release. The decision is notable because reinstatement appears to be his only path to resume his NFL career.

"I will not be reinstating with them nor ever doing any kind of business with them," Aiyuk wrote on Instagram. "I'm locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season!"

Aiyuk has repeatedly expressed a desire to join the Washington Commanders. However, there is no indication the Commanders are interested in signing him, especially following his recent string of bizarre social media behavior.

By refusing to seek reinstatement, Aiyuk effectively allows the 49ers to keep him on the reserve/left squad list. He would remain under contract with the team but would not occupy a spot on the roster and would reportedly not receive pay.

Aiyuk also offered his version of events regarding the dispute over his contract guarantees, accusing the 49ers of misleading the media and fans about how the situation unfolded.

"When the news finally came out that my guarantees were voided in November, the team continued to lie to the media/fan base, acting as if that was not a decision that was made in July," Aiyuk wrote. "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.

"[W]e are 1 year from the date [on] 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."