The inevitable divorce has a new wrinkle in it. A multi-year saga between the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk looked like it was coming to a close. With his interest in the Washington Commanders apparent, the next steps looked obvious.
After Aiyuk made clear he has no intention of filing for reinstatement off the reserve/left squad list he’s been on since December, he fired back with his side of the story. Throwing some major accusations, he put the blame on the 49ers.
Brandon Aiyuk Won’t Take a Backseat to the San Francisco 49ers
After an extended contract negotiation, the first year lasted just seven games. With a torn MCL and ACL, his 2024 campaign came to a premature end. But the aftermath has made the situation even more puzzling.
Signed to a four-year, $120 million deal, the former All-Pro did not return to the lineup for the rest of the season, and understandably so. However, there was a complete lack of communication between the 49ers and their star in 2025.
The summer, as well as the season, saw Aiyuk alienate himself from the franchise. As a result, the organization put him on the left squad list near the tail end of 2025. At the time, there was no appeal made from the wide receiver’s end.
However, as we head towards a similar decision from San Francisco, he is ready to change his version of events. On his Instagram stories, Aiyuk posted a lengthy statement in which he made several accusations against the team, including calling them “liars.”
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Veteran team analyst David Lombardi compiled the comments on X. Aiyuk claimed, “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.”
Brandon Aiyuk says he won’t be applying for reinstatement. He then lists grievances vs 49ers that he declined to bring up in an appeal when there was opportunity to do so.
Simply put: These are clearly actions of someone who doesn’t want to play in the NFL again pic.twitter.com/dMvpqtuwGN
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) July 7, 2026
Moreover, Aiyuk claimed that a lot of the official designations about him went against his own words. “Continually saying that I would be returning, despite that fact that l told them on numerous occasions that I would not be.” From there, though, things went from bad to worse for the 49ers.
“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.”
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Finally, Aiyuk revealed his decision. “I will not be reinstating with them nor ever doing any kind of business with them. l’m locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season!”
It remains to be seen how this entire situation eventually shakes out. After making his desire to join the Commanders wilfully apparent, a public tiff with Jayden Daniels has put that option into doubt. But all of it rests on the 49ers and Aiyuk parting ways for the next phase of his career to get started.