Brandon Aiyuk hires Drew Rosenhaus to salvage NFL career after torching 49ers relationship
Brandon Aiyuk Hires Drew Rosenhaus in Bid to Return to NFL
Brandon Aiyuk, the former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, officially signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus on Monday, 28 November 2026. The move marks the latest effort by the 28‑year‑old to revive a career that has been stalled since a season‑ending knee injury in October 2024.
Aiyuk’s career hit a major setback when he tore his knee during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He did not return to the field that season or the next, and the 49ers began to dismantle his contract. In July 2025 the franchise voided roughly $27 million in guaranteed money after Aiyuk missed required team‑led rehabilitation sessions. He was subsequently placed on the reserve/left‑squad and reserve/did‑not‑report lists.
During the summer, Aiyuk publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the 49ers, using social media to demand a trade and to attempt to force a release. He also made a campaign to join former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, who was with the Washington Commanders at the time.
The player’s legal troubles added to the turmoil. In June 2026 an arrest warrant was issued after Aiyuk posted a clip of himself driving 104 mph in a 40‑mile‑per‑hour zone outside Levi’s Stadium. The incident prompted further scrutiny from the league and the 49ers.
San Francisco’s coaching staff, including head coach Kyle Shanahan and executive John Lynch, made it clear that Aiyuk had no future with the team. When asked in September 2026 whether an injury‑related trade could reopen possibilities, Shanahan replied, “No.” Washington likewise closed the door. The Commanders signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs, eliminating any chance of Aiyuk reuniting with Daniels.
Aiyuk’s next step is to secure formal NFL reinstatement, a prerequisite for any trade or release. That is where Rosenhaus’s experience comes in. The agent has represented high‑profile receivers who have faced off‑field challenges, including Antonio Brown and Johnny Manziel, and has a track record of navigating complicated contractual and league‑disciplinary issues.
The 49ers retain Aiyuk’s rights but have not paid him any compensation since the voiding of his contract. Despite posting 1,342 receiving yards in 2023, the combination of injury, missed rehab, and prolonged absence from play has made his return difficult.
Aiyuk’s partnership with Rosenhaus represents his final attempt to clean up a series of self‑inflicted problems and return to professional football. Whether the former 49ers star can regain a spot on an NFL roster remains to be seen.