Brandon Aiyuk met with San Francisco 49ers officials on Friday to discuss his NFL return and potential departure after a two-year dispute.
The wide receiver declared himself fully recovered from injury but faces hurdles over a bonus repayment issue, Whadam Ilbo reported.
Aiyuk Visits Team Office Seeking NFL Reinstatement
Aiyuk, accompanied by agent Drew Rosenhaus, visited the team’s Santa Clara office for a one-hour, 15-minute meeting. It was his first public appearance since a knee injury in October 2024. Aiyuk told reporters he is 100% healthy and seeks NFL reinstatement. The injury, suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs, tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus, ending his 2024 season.
The 49ers voided $27 million of guaranteed money from his 2025 contract in July, citing his absence from rehabilitation checks. Aiyuk has not used team facilities since and was placed on the reserve/did not report list in December. He skipped offseason programs and training camp.
Bonus Repayment as a Key Obstacle
For Aiyuk to return, the NFL must approve his reinstatement application, filed in late October. The league informed him this week he must repay a $13 million bonus before reinstatement, ESPN reported, citing sources. The 49ers are also seeking the bonus repayment.
Rosenhaus stated Aiyuk is physically ready to play and aims to resolve outstanding issues. He declined to speculate on which team Aiyuk might join, calling it a topic for discussion with the 49ers. The meeting focused on enabling reinstatement.
Possible Outcomes for the 49ers
If reinstated, the 49ers face three options: release, trade, or add Aiyuk to the 53-man roster. ESPN reported a release is most likely, but the team prefers a trade. However, no trade partners have emerged this offseason, and the deadline is Tuesday. Adding him to the roster is considered unlikely.
General Manager John Lynch said in January that Aiyuk had played his last game for the team. Coach Kyle Shanahan, who did not attend the meeting, told reporters earlier on Friday he has no interest in reunifying with Aiyuk, calling the matter a closed issue for the current team.
Bonus Repayment Affects NFL Reinstatement Decision
The NFL’s reinstatement decision depends on the bonus repayment. The trade deadline is Tuesday. Aiyuk’s next public comments or any further league decisions could provide clarity on his path forward.
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