Brandon Aiyuk Hires Drew Rosenhaus to Revive NFL Career
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has not played since a knee injury in October 2024, has signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus as he seeks reinstatement and a way out of San Francisco.
Brandon Aiyuk has hired agent Drew Rosenhaus as he tries to restart an NFL career that has been stalled since a knee injury in October 2024. The move matters because Aiyuk cannot be cut or traded by the San Francisco 49ers until the league formally reinstates him, and the 49ers have made clear they are done with him.
What happened
Aiyuk, now 28, signed with Rosenhaus on Monday, according to OutKick. He has not played a down since tearing up his knee against Kansas City in October 2024.
His relationship with the 49ers broke down over the following year. In July 2025, San Francisco voided roughly $27 million in contract guarantees after Aiyuk skipped mandatory team rehab sessions. He then stopped reporting, and the team placed him on the reserve/left squad and reserve/did not report lists.
Over the summer he aired grievances on social media, pushed for his release and requested a trade. He openly campaigned to join former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels in Washington. In June 2026 he faced an arrest warrant after posting a clip of himself driving 104 mph in a 40 mph zone outside Levi’s Stadium.
San Francisco did not soften. Coach Kyle Shanahan, asked in September 2026 whether receiver injuries might force a reunion, answered with one word: “No.” Washington also moved on, signing Stefon Diggs and ending any Aiyuk-Daniels pairing.
Why it matters
The hiring signals that Aiyuk is trying to return to the field rather than continue a public fight. Rosenhaus is known for managing damaged reputations: he represented Terrell Owens during his 2005 driveway push-up saga, Antonio Brown through his exits from multiple teams, and briefly Johnny Manziel before cutting ties over rehab conditions.
The order of operations matters. Aiyuk needs formal league reinstatement before the 49ers can cut or trade him. Until then, San Francisco holds his rights and pays him nothing. This suggests the next step is a procedural one — reinstatement — before any roster move is possible.
Talent is not the question. Aiyuk posted 1,342 receiving yards in 2023. But two full seasons away from contact, missed rehab and prolonged drama have eroded his leverage across the league.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agent | Drew Rosenhaus, signed Monday |
| Age | 28 |
| Last game | October 2024, knee injury vs. Kansas City |
| Guarantees voided | About $27 million, July 2025 |
| Team status | Reserve/left squad; reserve/did not report |
| 49ers stance | Shanahan said “No” to a reunion in September 2026 |
| 2023 production | 1,342 receiving yards |
What this means for you
- If you follow the 49ers, expect no quick resolution: reinstatement must come before any cut or trade.
- If you are tracking Aiyuk’s fantasy or betting value, treat him as unavailable until the league acts and a team acquires him.
- If you are a Washington fan, the Diggs signing likely closes the door on an Aiyuk-Daniels reunion.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t the 49ers just release Brandon Aiyuk?
Because he is on the reserve/left squad and reserve/did not report lists, he needs formal league reinstatement before the team can cut or trade him.
How much money did Aiyuk lose?
San Francisco voided roughly $27 million in contract guarantees in July 2025 after he skipped mandatory rehab sessions.
Who is Drew Rosenhaus?
A prominent NFL agent known for representing high-profile receivers in difficult situations, including Terrell Owens, Antonio Brown and, briefly, Johnny Manziel.
Could Aiyuk still join the Commanders?
Unlikely in the near term. Washington signed Stefon Diggs, and the 49ers have said they are moving on.
What to watch next
Whether the league grants Aiyuk reinstatement, and whether any team shows trade interest once the 49ers can move him. Neither is confirmed.
- Aiyuk signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus on Monday at age 28.
- He has not played since a knee injury in October 2024.
- The 49ers voided about $27 million in guarantees in July 2025 and say he is done in San Francisco.
- He needs league reinstatement before the 49ers can cut or trade him.
