Overview
- On June 24 Aiyuk posted multiple Instagram videos that praised the Washington Commanders and directly dared the 49ers to cut him so he could sign with Washington the next day.
- The 49ers have voided Aiyuk’s remaining 2026 guarantees and placed him on the reserve/left-squad list, a roster designation that stops his pay and preserves San Francisco’s rights to him.
- Aiyuk has not played since a severe 2024 knee injury that tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus and he missed the entire 2025 season, and teams say the lack of recent medical exams or game tape makes him a risky acquisition.
- League insiders and former players, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter and analysts quoted across outlets, say Aiyuk’s public behavior has raised red flags and left him effectively untradeable in the current market.
- San Francisco says it prefers a trade to recoup value and could wait until training camp to act, while Washington’s personal ties to Aiyuk and other clubs’ caution mean he may need to apply for reinstatement and accept a low prove‑it deal if released.