Brandon Aiyuk Declines Reinstatement, Remains on 49ers List

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has declared he will not seek reinstatement from the NFL’s reserve/left squad list, a definitive move that entrenches a bitter, year-long standoff with the franchise and leaves his professional future in limbo. Aiyuk announced his refusal in social media posts on July 7, 2026, stating he would not do any business with the 49ers.

The dispute stems from the team’s decision to void the remaining guaranteed money on Aiyuk’s lucrative contract, a four-year, $120 million extension he signed in 2024. After playing only seven games under that deal, Aiyuk suffered tears to his ACL and MCL. The 49ers voided the guarantees, alleging the receiver failed to meet contractual rehabilitation obligations and cut off communication with team medical staff. The team subsequently placed him on the reserve/left squad list on December 13, 2025.

In his recent posts, Aiyuk has accused the organization of dishonesty regarding the timeline of that decision. He claims the choice to void his guarantees was made in July 2025 but was not publicly acknowledged until November, and that the team continued to suggest he might return for the 2025 season despite him...