Disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk might want to set a challenge for himself not to post anything on social media for at least a week. That'd be a smart place for him to start, given the plethora of rants and shots taken at his current employer, the San Francisco 49ers.
Yet his latest post on Instagram is far less cryptic than many of his previous ones. It's a written statement, declaring "his side" of the story while also pointing out one aspect that truly makes zero sense.
Late last season, when the relationship between Aiyuk and the Niners was publicly deteriorating, the still-injured receiver was placed on the rarely used reserve/left squad list. He was AWOL, that much was clear.
In order to be removed from said list, Aiyuk would have to apply for reinstatement. That has yet to happen.
According to Aiyuk, it won't:
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk tells his side of the story and says he will not be filing for reinstatement because he doesn’t want to do any kind of business with the team. pic.twitter.com/GFLCkyur49
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) July 7, 2026
"I will not be reinstating with them nor ever doing any kind of business with them," Aiyuk posted. "I'm locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season!"
Provocative.
Why would Brandon Aiyuk refuse reinstatement?
Precisely how reinstatement works between player, player's union, employing team and the league is a bit murky, which is why an agent would be expected to handle such duties for his client. But Aiyuk dismissed his previous agent, and according to his Spotrac page, he currently doesn't have one to help him navigate through that complex paperwork.
Either way, it appears as if filing for reinstatement is a mandatory step toward getting back on the field. It's very odd to publicly declare he won't be doing this, and it certainly would reinforce the argument some would make about his desire to play football.
Only Aiyuk knows that truth, but one would figure his best interest would be to file for reinstatement, even if done quietly, then await the inevitable release from San Francisco.
The 49ers would likely aim to do that no later than Sept. 1 when an option bonus is due, although according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, the Niners can still keep Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list and not issue him any pay during that time.
By refusing to file for reinstatement, Aiyuk is effectively blocking his chances to both get back on the field (even elsewhere than San Francisco) and is also denying the chance to receive a contract.
Odd, indeed.
Hat tip to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone for the find.
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