Brandon Aiyuk is a Quitter! Pick #25, 2020 NFL Draft

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by Pillbusta:

Originally posted by RDB4216:
First, Lombardi is an idiot who never has an original thought about football. Maybe some on restaurants, but that's about it. All he does is take others' information and regurgitate it, while trying to sound smart. Second, in theory the team can keep him on the list indefinitely if he continues to refuse to report. He would not get paid game salaries and could be fined. However, he is due a $25 million option bonus on September 1st that WOULD get paid unless he is cut or traded. Jed won't spend money on actual upgrades for the team, he is not going to throw away $25 million just to keep Aiyuk hostage longer and prove a point. So September 1st is the realistic deadline the team has for doing something.

He has to show up to collect is my understanding. Dude is currently on the left squad list until he actually RETURNS to the squad. Right now Aiyuk ain't getting paid because he's on the quit football list. Now 9/1/26 is a trigger date but I have said all along the 49ers would d*** him like he d***** us as they should.

If he wants to force his release then he needs to return to football and to the 49ers prior to TC and deal with the police then get cut by us so he can make Commanders TC and have a chance at a season

He ain't getting released unless he can suck it up and come see Jed John and Kyle and / or the Commanders trade for him and I doubt that happens

Right now for the 49ers it's all fun and games until real money starts to be an issue. For BA he just left money on the table and I know we're pumped to bury both him and the Commanders once we play them

I keep seeing this 9/1 date as it means something.

wouldn't he have to be on the roster to collect? He can't just show up 9/1 with out going through the reinstatement process or just simply be alive on 9/1

September 1st is when the $25 million dollar bonus is due. Because it is an option bonus, the team either has to exercise the option by paying him, or not. If they don't, it voids the remaining contract and BA becomes a free agent. Because it is not a roster bonus, it doesn't matter what his current status is.

Originally posted by English:
I am beginning to wonder if any team will pick him up, even for peanuts. Dragging on for ever, this one!

Short of him literally failing a physical, he will be a commander at some point

Originally posted by SmokeyJoe:

Originally posted by English:
I am beginning to wonder if any team will pick him up, even for peanuts. Dragging on for ever, this one!

To me, the biggest question is how he will respond physically after suffering a severe knee injury and missing a season and a half. He'll be a nice cheap flyer though.

That makes perfect sense given the circumstances but I doubt Aiyuk signs for cheap without throwing a temper tantrum of more $

I know the 49ers aren't going to show their hand, but I wonder if they go after some of the paid out money once he is no longer under contract.

Originally posted by RDB4216:

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by Pillbusta:

Originally posted by RDB4216:
First, Lombardi is an idiot who never has an original thought about football. Maybe some on restaurants, but that's about it. All he does is take others' information and regurgitate it, while trying to sound smart. Second, in theory the team can keep him on the list indefinitely if he continues to refuse to report. He would not get paid game salaries and could be fined. However, he is due a $25 million option bonus on September 1st that WOULD get paid unless he is cut or traded. Jed won't spend money on actual upgrades for the team, he is not going to throw away $25 million just to keep Aiyuk hostage longer and prove a point. So September 1st is the realistic deadline the team has for doing something.

He has to show up to collect is my understanding. Dude is currently on the left squad list until he actually RETURNS to the squad. Right now Aiyuk ain't getting paid because he's on the quit football list. Now 9/1/26 is a trigger date but I have said all along the 49ers would d*** him like he d***** us as they should.

If he wants to force his release then he needs to return to football and to the 49ers prior to TC and deal with the police then get cut by us so he can make Commanders TC and have a chance at a season

He ain't getting released unless he can suck it up and come see Jed John and Kyle and / or the Commanders trade for him and I doubt that happens

Right now for the 49ers it's all fun and games until real money starts to be an issue. For BA he just left money on the table and I know we're pumped to bury both him and the Commanders once we play them

I keep seeing this 9/1 date as it means something.

wouldn't he have to be on the roster to collect? He can't just show up 9/1 with out going through the reinstatement process or just simply be alive on 9/1

September 1st is when the $25 million dollar bonus is due. Because it is an option bonus, the team either has to exercise the option by paying him, or not. If they don't, it voids the remaining contract and BA becomes a free agent. Because it is not a roster bonus, it doesn't matter what his current status is.

According to Gemini:

No, the team would not have to exercise his option bonus. [1]

If a player simply walks away or disappears from a team, they are officially placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list. Under the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), placing a player on this reserve list freezes their status and contract.[2, 3]
The cap, contract, and option bonus rules handle this scenario through several distinct mechanisms:
1. The Contract is Tolled (Frozen) [4] When a player is placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list, they are in breach of contract. Their contract tolls, meaning the current year of the deal effectively pauses and does not count as a accrued season. Because the contract is frozen, the timeline to exercise any future option bonuses is paused until the player returns and is reinstated. [2, 3, 5]
2. Immediate Cap ReliefA player on the Reserve/Left Squad list does not count against the team's 53-man active roster limit or the team's salary cap. The team does not owe them their base salary, workout bonuses, or any pending option bonuses while they remain on this list. [1, 2, 6]
3. The 5-Day WindowOnce a team places a player on the Left Squad list, a strict 5-day clock begins: [3]

• If the player returns within 5 days: The team can choose to add them back to the active roster (if a spot is open) or cut them.
• If 5 days pass without a return: The team gains full control over how to handle the contract. They can leave the player on the Left Squad list indefinitely, transfer them to the Reserve/Retired list, or waive them altogether. [3]

In none of these outcomes is a team forced to pay an unearned option bonus to a player who willfully abandoned the team. [1, 7]
If you are tracking a specific situation or contract dispute, let me know who the player is or the deadline date for the option bonus. I can break down the exact financial leverage the team holds.

[1] https://operations.nfl.com
[2] https://www.reddit.com
[3] https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com
[4] https://www.cbssports.com
[5] https://www.reddit.com
[6] https://www.nfl.com
[7] https://overthecap.com

Originally posted by father49er:
According to Gemini:

No, the team would not have to exercise his option bonus. [1]

If a player simply walks away or disappears from a team, they are officially placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list. Under the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), placing a player on this reserve list freezes their status and contract.[2, 3]
The cap, contract, and option bonus rules handle this scenario through several distinct mechanisms:
1. The Contract is Tolled (Frozen) [4] When a player is placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list, they are in breach of contract. Their contract tolls, meaning the current year of the deal effectively pauses and does not count as a accrued season. Because the contract is frozen, the timeline to exercise any future option bonuses is paused until the player returns and is reinstated. [2, 3, 5]
2. Immediate Cap ReliefA player on the Reserve/Left Squad list does not count against the team's 53-man active roster limit or the team's salary cap. The team does not owe them their base salary, workout bonuses, or any pending option bonuses while they remain on this list. [1, 2, 6]
3. The 5-Day WindowOnce a team places a player on the Left Squad list, a strict 5-day clock begins: [3]

• If the player returns within 5 days: The team can choose to add them back to the active roster (if a spot is open) or cut them.
• If 5 days pass without a return: The team gains full control over how to handle the contract. They can leave the player on the Left Squad list indefinitely, transfer them to the Reserve/Retired list, or waive them altogether. [3]

In none of these outcomes is a team forced to pay an unearned option bonus to a player who willfully abandoned the team. [1, 7]
If you are tracking a specific situation or contract dispute, let me know who the player is or the deadline date for the option bonus. I can break down the exact financial leverage the team holds.

[1] https://operations.nfl.com
[2] https://www.reddit.com
[3] https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com
[4] https://www.cbssports.com
[5] https://www.reddit.com
[6] https://www.nfl.com
[7] https://overthecap.com

Without using AI you can use Trent Williams contract restructure this past offseason, in which the 49ers declined to exercise his option bonus and ballooned his cap hit for the season (prior to working out the new deal).

Originally posted by SmokeyJoe:

Originally posted by father49er:
According to Gemini:

No, the team would not have to exercise his option bonus. [1]

If a player simply walks away or disappears from a team, they are officially placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list. Under the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), placing a player on this reserve list freezes their status and contract.[2, 3]
The cap, contract, and option bonus rules handle this scenario through several distinct mechanisms:
1. The Contract is Tolled (Frozen) [4] When a player is placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list, they are in breach of contract. Their contract tolls, meaning the current year of the deal effectively pauses and does not count as a accrued season. Because the contract is frozen, the timeline to exercise any future option bonuses is paused until the player returns and is reinstated. [2, 3, 5]
2. Immediate Cap ReliefA player on the Reserve/Left Squad list does not count against the team's 53-man active roster limit or the team's salary cap. The team does not owe them their base salary, workout bonuses, or any pending option bonuses while they remain on this list. [1, 2, 6]
3. The 5-Day WindowOnce a team places a player on the Left Squad list, a strict 5-day clock begins: [3]

• If the player returns within 5 days: The team can choose to add them back to the active roster (if a spot is open) or cut them.
• If 5 days pass without a return: The team gains full control over how to handle the contract. They can leave the player on the Left Squad list indefinitely, transfer them to the Reserve/Retired list, or waive them altogether. [3]

In none of these outcomes is a team forced to pay an unearned option bonus to a player who willfully abandoned the team. [1, 7]
If you are tracking a specific situation or contract dispute, let me know who the player is or the deadline date for the option bonus. I can break down the exact financial leverage the team holds.

[1] https://operations.nfl.com
[2] https://www.reddit.com
[3] https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com
[4] https://www.cbssports.com
[5] https://www.reddit.com
[6] https://www.nfl.com
[7] https://overthecap.com

Without using AI you can use Trent Williams contract restructure this past offseason, in which the 49ers declined to exercise his option bonus and ballooned his cap hit for the season (prior to working out the new deal).

But he was in the roster, so not sure how it calculates still

looks like the 53 is decided on 8/30 this year. So we should know what's going on before 9/1

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
But he was in the roster, so not sure how it calculates still

looks like the 53 is decided on 8/30 this year. So we should know what's going on before 9/1

My point is that not exercising an option bonus doesn't automatically void a contract and make a player a free agent.

Originally posted by SmokeyJoe:

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
But he was in the roster, so not sure how it calculates still

looks like the 53 is decided on 8/30 this year. So we should know what's going on before 9/1

My point is that not exercising an option bonus doesn't automatically void a contract and make a player a free agent.

Got it, saw that and also wondered

In any case, it's to the 49ers' competitive advantage to keep him on the Left Squad list until Aiyuk either reports or something in the contract, such as the 9/1 bonus, forces their hand. Why help him obtain practice time with whatever squad decides to acquire his services any earlier than you have to?

What I don't understand, is why Aiyuk doesn't just report to the facility and force FO hand, if he wants to be released? That seems like the quickest way to make it happen.

Originally posted by Bay2Bay9erAllday:
What I don't understand, is why Aiyuk doesn't just report to the facility and force FO hand, if he wants to be released? That seems like the quickest way to make it happen.

He's running from the belt.

Originally posted by Bay2Bay9erAllday:
What I don't understand, is why Aiyuk doesn't just report to the facility and force FO hand, if he wants to be released? That seems like the quickest way to make it happen.

Nothing to report to yet? Maybe cancellation of mandatory minicamp is what prompted his comment.

Originally posted by Bay2Bay9erAllday:
What I don't understand, is why Aiyuk doesn't just report to the facility and force FO hand, if he wants to be released? That seems like the quickest way to make it happen.

He's afraid of that "belt" 😂. Really he's just to prideful and thinks if he shows up that makes him a "female dog" so now he's hoping for September to be cut. It's looking like the 9ers are going to stand pat, if he does show up they'll fail his physical so we don't owe him a bonus then release him or if he doesn't show up put him on the left squad list.

Originally posted by SmokeyJoe:

Originally posted by Bay2Bay9erAllday:
What I don't understand, is why Aiyuk doesn't just report to the facility and force FO hand, if he wants to be released? That seems like the quickest way to make it happen.

Nothing to report to yet? Maybe cancellation of mandatory minicamp is what prompted his comment.

He can't just report to training facility? Or does it need to organized team activities?